State: Flint Residents Will Be Hired To Help Test Water
FLINT (WWJ/AP) - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder says the state is working with two Flint organizations to hire 50 residents who will help test the water in the city that's been plagued with lead contamination.
Snyder announced Monday that Orchards Children's Services and the Flint YMCA's Safe Places Program will help hire and train city residents this month. More residents may be hired as needed.
The Republican governor said, in a release out Monday, that the state needs help to help in Flint.
"The people of Flint deserve timely action on emergency efforts to help the city move toward recovery," Snyder said. "We realize our water testing teams need more manpower to get the job done. There is no one better suited to help the city bounce back than Flint residents themselves and we appreciate Orchards Children's Services and the YMCA for helping connect Flint talent with this important positions."
He adds the hiring is part of an effort to ensure residents "benefit from opportunities created by relief efforts." City and community leaders have called for employing residents, particularly teens, to help deal with the health crisis.
Flint's water is currently undrinkable after it became contaminated when the city switched from the Detroit water system to the Flint River as a cost-cutting move. The corrosive water lacked adequate treatment and caused lead to leach from old pipes.
The city has since reconnected to Detroit water.
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