Flint, Michigan: City In Contempt Over Lead Water Pipe Crisis

Flint, Michigan is in contempt because of a lead water pipe crisis.

According to the Associated Press, a federal judge has found the city of Flint in contempt because of failing to comply with a court order that spelled out the steps needed to finish replacing the old lead pipes with new ones, following the Michigan city’s lead-contaminated water scandal.

Writing a decision was U.S. District Judge David Lawson, who wrote in Tuesday’s decision that Flint was found in contempt because the city had failed to meet deadlines for pipe removal, which was already outlined in his February 2023 order. The city made a promise to replace the pipes by early 2020.

His ruling comes on the heels of a June 2023 hearing on a motion seeking a contempt finding filed the previous month by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, and Concerned Pastors for Social Action.

“Based on the evidence, it is apparent that the City has failed to abide by the Court’s orders in several respects, and that it has no good reason for its failures,” Lawson wrote in his decision. “The City has demonstrated belated compliance since the hearing, but even now, it has not actually replaced all of the lead service lines, which it originally promised to replace by March 28, 2020.”

According to a news release from the Natural Resources Defense Council, the city had already agreed to replace the pipes by early 2020, but the work still isn’t completed. Additionally, nearly 2,000 homes still have damage to lawns, sidewalks and curbs caused by the lead people replacement program.

Lawson’s order did not set out other specific penalties for the city if it continues to not comply with the order other than offering to award attorney's fees, costs and expenses to the plaintiffs.

The Flint City Attorney William Kim said the city is committed to replacing lead service lines so long as the funds are available. As of right now, the city has finished service line identification and replacement at 29,485 addresses, but 30 addresses remain that require lead service line excavation.

Pastor Allen C. Overton of the Concerned Pastors for Social Action, who is one of the plaintiffs in the case, said it was encouraged by Lawson’s’ ruling but needs to see the work finished.

“The true outcome we’re seeking is for the City of Flint to succeed in finishing the lead pipe replacement program, including by finishing the overdue work of repairing damage to residents’ properties caused by lead service line replacements,” Overton said.

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