FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Flint’s fire chief says he suspects corrosive water from the Flint River contributed to damaging his department’s trucks.
Chief David Cox Jr. tells WJRT-TV one truck was put into use a year-and-a-half ago but already has rust around an intake valve and rubber seals that were damaged. He says such wear typically doesn’t happen for several years.
Cox says the issue hasn’t impacted the department’s ability to fight fires. He says they test trucks daily to ensure they’re working properly.
Flint switched its water source from Detroit’s system to the Flint River in 2014 to save money while under state financial management. The river water wasn’t treated properly and the river’s highly corrosive water scraped lead from pipes and fixtures.
Flint has since moved back to the Detroit system.
