Snyder asks Obama for emergency declaration in water crisis

The President should order the Justice Department to charge Snyder and his personally appointed "manager" of Flint with criminal negligence.

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has asked President Barack Obama to issue an emergency and major disaster declaration amid a drinking water crisis in Flint that began months ago.

Snyder's office said in a statement late Thursday night it had asked for the declarations and is seeking additional federal aid for both individuals and public agencies involved in the effort to provide Flint residents with clean drinking water.

Flint's tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money while under state financial management. Local officials declared a public health emergency in October. Residents already are being urged to use drinking water filters, which are being distributed for free along with bottled water.

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http://finance.yahoo.com/news/snyder-asks-obama-emergency-declaration-water-crisis-054223136.html