A federal judge has found the city of Flint in contempt for failing to reach certain milestones in the replacement of lead pipes and other work related to the Flint water crisis.
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - A federal judge has found the city of Flint in contempt for failing to reach certain milestones in the replacement of lead pipes and other work related to the Flint water crisis.
The court found the city violated a February 2023 federal court order.
The city originally agreed to replace all lead pipes by early 2020, but it still has not completed that work. A federal judge then set an Aug. 1, 2023, deadline for the city to replace the remaining lead water service lines. The deadline was imposed in Feb. 2023.
The city was given until May 1 to identify which repairs were still needed at about 1,000 properties and until Aug. 1 to do the work. A month and a half ago, a court filing said the city expects to meet the Aug. 1 deadline.
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the city's records to date show it missed the Aug. 1 deadline and didn't finish the required work.
There remains nearly 2,000 homes where residents have been living with damaged properties caused by the lead pipe replacement program.
The ruling comes nearly seven years after a major settlement was reached in the lawsuit. Residents of the city have not received payment under the settlement because of delays in the claims administration process.
"The city has failed to abide by the court's orders in several respects, and it has no good reason for its failures," said Judge David Lawson. "The city is in civil contempt of the court's order."
He also ordered the city to reimburse the plaintiffs for the cost of bringing the city's violations to the court's attention, if they file an appropriate request with the court.
In a response from Flint City attorney, William Kim, they appreciate the court recognizing the city's corrected issue that the plaintiffs raised last spring. They also appreciate that the did not hold Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley in contempt.
Kim adds that the city is committed to replace servicen lines and beyond the terms of the plaintiffs settlement.
"In the years since state-appointed emergency managers made the decisions that damaged our infrastructure and poisoned our residents, the City of Flint has worked diligently to protect the public health of our community. The City of Flint’s water quality is in compliance with all state and federal regulations."
