Michigan will pay $ 600 million to compensate Flint residents whose health was compromised by lead-contaminated drinking water after the city took its advice from state regulators not to treat it properly, a lawyer involved in the negotiations told the Associated Press.
Details will be released later this week, according to the lawyer, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about it prior to an official announcement. The settlement was first reported by Detroit News, MLive.com and WXZY-TV.
It is intended to resolve all legal actions against the state for its role in a disaster that made the impoverished, majority-black city a national symbol of governing malpractice, the lawyer said.
The offices of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel have been negotiating for more than 18 months with attorneys for thousands of Flint residents who have filed a lawsuit against the state.
Ryan Jarvi, a spokesman for Nessel, declined to confirm reports of a deal Wednesday night.
“We and the other parties are bound by a federal court order to maintain the confidentiality of detailed settlement and mediation communications until we reach a certain point,” Jarvi said. “We have not yet reached the point where we can discuss a potential settlement.”
Flint switched its water source from the city of Detroit to the Flint River to save money in 2014 while under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager. State environmental regulators advise Flint, located about 70 miles (112.65 km) north of Detroit, not to adjust corrosion checks on the water, which was polluted by lead from pipe contamination.
Residents of the city with a population of nearly 100,000 people who used bottles of water soon began to complain that the water was discolored and had a bad taste and smell. They accused it of rashes, hair loss and other health concerns, but local and state officials insisted it was safe.
Researchers with Virginia Tech University reported in the summer of 2015 that samples of Flint water had abnormally high lead levels. Shortly afterwards, a group of doctors announced that local children had high levels of lead in their blood and advised Flint to stop water from flowing from the river.
Rick Snyder, the mayor at the time, finally acknowledged the problem, accepted the dismissal of his environmental chief and promised to help the city, which was flooded with Detroit water.
Residents used bottles of water for drinking and household needs for more than a year. Researchers said in late 2016 that lead was no longer detectable in multiple homes.
Lawsuits against the state are being reviewed by U.S. District Judge Judith Levy, who must approve the settlement.
Under the deal, the state would set up a $ 600 million fund and Flint residents could file compensation accounts. The amount per applicant would be based on how badly they were scandalized, the lawyer told AP.
It requires spending 80% of the money on people who were under the age of 18 during the period when Flint used river water, the lawyer said.
If approved, the scheme will put more than $ 1 billion in government spending on Flint’s water crisis. Michigan has already pumped more than $ 400 million into replacing water pipes, purchasing filters and bottles of water, child health care and other assistance.
Other successes are pending against Flint, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and private consultants who advise the city on water issues.
