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As Election Looms, State Wants Flint Water Deal by Tuesday

City of Flint water tower
Ben Gordon
/
flickr creative commons

The state of Michigan wants the mayor of Flint to sign a 30-year deal for water next week.

The state on Friday asked a judge to give that power to Mayor Karen Weaver no later than Tuesday, bypassing the city council.

It’s the latest move in a dispute over the best long-term options for Flint’s drinking water.

Tuesday also is critical because it’s the day that Weaver faces a recall election.

Federal Judge David Lawson had ordered the Flint council to come up with a long-term water source by Oct. 23.

Instead, the council asked for more time and chose a two-year deal.

That didn’t satisfy the judge.

Flint is recovering from a lead contamination crisis caused by improper water treatment when it was using the Flint River.

 

The state sued Flint earlier this year, seeking to force a 30-year deal with the Great Lakes Water Authority.

 

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