KARAH RUCKER: IT’S BEEN ALMOST 10 YEARS SINCE A WATER CRISIS CREATED A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH HAZARD IN THE CITY OF FLINT, MICHIGAN. NOW – THE STATE OF MICHIGAN IS SET TO PAY MORE THAN 600 MILLION DOLLARS TO COMPENSATE IMPACTED RESIDENTS.

THIS WEEK A STATE JUDGE APPROVED A 626 MILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT, CLEARING A FINAL PROCEDURAL HURDLE.

MORE THAN 50 THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED CLAIMS TO GET THEIR PORTION OF THE HISTORIC SETTLEMENT.

CLAIMANTS COULD BEGIN RECEIVING PAYOUTS AS SOON AS THIS FALL.

BACK IN 20-14 – THE CITY HAD SWITCHED THE SOURCE OF ITS DRINKING WATER FROM LAKE HURON TO THE FLINT RIVER. THE MOVE WAS MEANT TO SAVE THE CITY MONEY.

BUT WITHOUT PROPER CHEMICALS TO KEEP THE WATER SAFE FROM LEAD IN PIPES – THE RIVER WATER CORRODED CITY PIPING AND THE CITY’S DRINKING WATER BECAME CONTAMINATED.

AROUND 100 THOUSAND RESIDENTS WERE EXPOSED TO ELEVATED LEAD-LEVELS. BETWEEN 6 TO 12 THOUSAND CHILDREN WERE IMPACTED. SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDE INCREASED CHANCES OF ALZHEIMER’S AND A REDUCTION IN I-Q –  PARTICULARLY IN CHILDREN EXPOSED TO HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD.

OF THE 600 MILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT – 60 PERCENT OF IT WILL GO TO PEOPLE WHO WERE KIDS WHEN THE WATER CRISIS BEGAN.