Red Cross Delivering Free jugs of Purified Water to Flint Residents

Red Cross members have been going door to door delivering free jugs of purified water and water filters to residents dealing with the water crisis on the city's north side.

Flint's drinking water became contaminated with lead in April 2014 after the city switched its supply source and treatment while under the control of a state appointed emergency manager.

Instead of getting Lake Huron water treated by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, Flint started drawing more corrosive and polluted water from the Flint River and treating it at the city water treatment plant.

This resulted in a spike in lead levels in children.  A recent report from a task force appointed by Snyder placed most of the blame on the state Department of Environmental Quality, which has acknowledged a mistake in not requiring Flint to add corrosion control chemicals to the water.

Governor Rick Snyder said Monday the state will step up its efforts to respond to a public health crisis resulting from lead contamination of Flint's drinking water and that he may need to ask the Legislature for more money to address the issue before he presents his state budget in February.