Court Says Flint Residents Can Sue Michigan Over Bad Water
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A federal appeals court says Flint residents who used lead-contaminated water can pursue constitutional claims against Michigan and city officials.
In a 3-0 decision, the court overturned decisions by a federal judge who said the claims weren’t allowed under water law. The court said Friday it’s not judging the merits of the lawsuits, but it’s allowing residents to get inside the courthouse door.
It’s one of many lawsuits over the disastrous decision to use water from the Flint River without treating it for corrosion in 2014-15. The water caused lead to leach from pipes, contaminating Flint’s water supply. Residents are seeking compensation for “state-created danger.”
Separately, Michigan has agreed to spend as much as $97 million in state and federal money to replace water lines at 18,000 homes.
Related News
From Archive
- Oil pipeline struck during fiber optic construction spills into L.A. storm drains
- Utility strike at center of Dallas explosion investigation
- Gas line strike destroys three homes in Ohio neighborhood
- $1 billion Ohio River Tunnel project awarded in Pittsburgh
- Las Vegas advances multibillion-dollar water pipeline expansion
- When and why manhole rehabilitation is critical to sewer system performance
- Inside Infrastructure: Utility locators warn of systemic failures in damage prevention process
- Senate passes PIPELINE Safety Act aimed at strengthening buried utility protection
- $104 million Lynchburg, Va., tunnel nears breakthrough beneath Blackwater Creek
Comments