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Federal declaration ends today over Flint water; work remains

Posted at 11:09 AM, Aug 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-14 11:53:06-04

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A federal emergency declaration over Flint’s lead-tainted water crisis is ending, but officials say work will continue to fix the drinking water system and provide services to city residents.

The declaration ends Sunday, after which the state will bear the full cost of bottled water, filters and other water supplies.

Federal resources, health programs and monitoring efforts also will continue.

President Barack Obama in January signed the emergency declaration as Flint’s crisis came to a head, after tests showing elevated levels of lead in the blood of some children.

On Thursday, Virginia Tech researchers who exposed the lead problem gave an upbeat opinion of the city’s water quality. Still, environmental engineering expert Marc Edwards urged residents to drink only filtered tap water or bottled water while the system heals.