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               US Senators Agree on Remedy for Flint Water Crisis

   by VOA News

   Senators from both major U.S. political parties have tentatively agreed
   to remediate the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.

   The agreement would authorize $170 million in grants and loans to
   replace the city's lead-contaminated water pipes and other
   infrastructure and allocate $50 million for lead-prevention programs
   nationwide.

   Democratic Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters of Michigan and
   Republican Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma agreed to the measure,
   which will be included in legislation known as the Water Resources
   Development Act. The bill is typically approved by Congress every few
   years to fund U.S. environmental development and maintenance projects.

   This is the second time the senators have reached agreement on the
   Flint water crisis. They negotiated a nearly identical deal in
   February, but a larger water resources bill that included the measure
   was derailed.

   The water crisis in the Midwestern city began in April 2014 when city
   officials switched Flint's water source in a money-saving move. Shortly
   thereafter, residents began to complain about the quality of the water,
   which was later determined to be tainted with lead.

   Dangerously high levels of lead had been found in the blood of some
   residents, including children. They are particularly susceptible to
   lead exposure, which can cause lower IQs and behavioral problems.

   The lead discovery prompted Governor Rick Snyder to announce in October
   2015 that Flint would again get its water from its earlier source, the
   Detroit municipal system.

   Since January 5, 2016, Genesee County, which includes Flint, has been
   under a state of emergency while residents use filters and bottled
   water.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/senators-agree-remedy-flint-michigan-
   water-crisis/3303615.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/senators-agree-remedy-flint-michigan-water-crisis/3303615.html