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Flint man who sued state sounds off about high level of lead in home's water

(WJRT)
Published: Apr. 17, 2018 at 6:40 PM EDT
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(4/17/2018) - Allen Bryant has lived on Oren Avenue in Flint for decades.

Since the water switch to the Flint River in 2014, Allen said he's been using bottled water for everything. He was going to the state-run water PODs to pick up a few cases every week.

Last Tuesday, the state shut down the sites.

The Governor's Office said the water has been testing well below the federal action level for lead for more than 18 months, so the free bottled water was no longer needed.

Bryant said he begs to differ. And that's why he teamed up with the firm Napoli Shkolnik, based in New York, to file an emergency injunction Tuesday.

"Little guy, you don't stand a chance against the state, come on now," he explained. "They'd sweep me under the rug. So, it's good to have a big law firm that's capable of doing battle with us. So I feel good."

Bryant's water test results from January 2018 show his lead level at 1330 parts-per-billion.

The law firm compiled a list of results dated between January and April of this year from multiple homes. Over a dozen also show lead levels above the federal action level.

That's why they're asking a federal judge to force the state to re-open the PODs.

Bryant said he has to start paying for the bottled water and doesn't think that's right.

"It's not fair because that's something they started. They should be obligated to pay til the end," he said.

His attorney, Patrick Lanciotti added, "We're approaching the four year anniversary of the switch to the Flint River for the Flint Water Treatment Plant and there are still homes in Flint that are receiving contaminated water. And that means, that the people in Flint deserve a potable and safe drinking water source and that is a requirement that the state must uphold."

A Judge is expected to hear arguments from both sides as soon as possible.

We'll keep you updated.

The state does not comment on litigation.

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