Michigan will reportedly pay $600 million to Flint water crisis victims

This week, the state of Michigan is expected to announce that it will pay $600 million to victims of the Flint water crisis, two people with knowledge of the matter told The New York Times.

In 2014, the city of Flint switched its water supply from Lake Huron to the polluted Flint River, and for nearly two years, residents were exposed to lead-contaminated water. Tens of thousands of residents are expected to be eligible to receive funds, the Times reports, with most of the settlement money going to children. The settlement is still subject to approval by a federal judge.

Flint residents complained to state and local officials about the murky water that was coming out of their taps, which had a metallic taste. Many came forward and reported feeling sick after drinking the water, and said they were developing rashes and losing their hair. They were ignored for months, with officials even dismissing warnings from doctors, scientists, and researchers until they could no longer avoid admitting the water was tainted.

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Today, Flint's water is coming from Lake Huron again, and treated in Detroit. The city is finishing a project to replace lead service lines, and Mayor Sheldon Neeley said last week that there are fewer than 2,500 homes that still need to have their lines done.