More Than 6,200 Water Pipes Replaced So Far In Flint

FLINT (WWJ/AP) - The mayor of Flint says more than 6,200 water pipes have been replaced as the result of the city's lead crisis.

Mayor Karen Weaver gave an update Tuesday. The city and the state of Michigan agreed earlier this year to replace at least 18,000 lead or galvanized-steel water lines by 2020.

Weaver says "significant progress" is being made. Michael McDaniel, who is overseeing the program, says crews are finding some homes have copper service lines that don't need to be replaced.

Flint was under state control when it switched from Detroit's water system to the Flint River in 2014 to save money, but did not treat it to prevent pipe corrosion. Toxic lead from old plumbing leached into the water system, causing elevated levels in children and leaving residents to drink and bathe with bottled or filtered water. During the public health emergency, E. coli was detected along with high levels of a carcinogenic disinfectant byproduct. Experts suspect a deadly Legionnaires' disease outbreak was tied to the water.

Flint now gets its water from a different source, although residents still are encouraged to use filters.

© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.