Watch CBS News

More Than 5,200 Water Lines Replaced In Flint

FLINT (WWJ/AP) - Service lines have been replaced at more than 4,300 Flint homes during phase 4 of an effort to help fix the city's lead-tainted water crisis.

The replaced lines are part of the city's FAST Start initiative to put new water pipes in 6,000 homes this year.

More than 5,200 service lines have been replaced since FAST start began in March 2016. The program's goal is to replace nearly 20,000 lead-tainted lines in Flint by 2020.

Flint was under state control when it switched from Detroit's water system to the Flint River in 2014 to save money. The river water was not properly treated 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.

The city has since returned to Detroit's system.

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

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.