This has been interesting to watch since I live about 70 miles away. I started to write a long explanation but decided to shorten it to this; This is a long term infrastructure problem. This will cost 10’s of millions to fix. The lead in the water is likely in the pipes and the switch had nothing to do with it. My local tv WNEM 5 did a good cover on it last night. To blame the GOP and the Gov is pure politics. This is a dem problem through and through. I estimate about 1/2 million per mile of water line to replace. I could be high but since surface infrastructure likely has to be replaced (roads/sidewalks) I am pretty sure I am close. Flint, like Detroit, has been democrat controlled for decades. I would not be surprised if the lead in the water has been known for decades and the cat is now out of the bag.
Is this really the result of lead buildup from past lack of use?
Could it be flushed out to get an acceptably lower level?