State court, not federal, to handle major Flint water lawsuit

DETROIT (AP) — A class-action lawsuit potentially affecting tens of thousands of people in the Flint water disaster will go to a local court, not miles away to federal court.

A federal appeals court made the decision Wednesday, affirming a ruling by a federal judge in Ann Arbor.

An engineering company, Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, is being sued over its work at the Flint water treatment plant. Residents accuse the company of failing to ensure that the plant would be equipped to treat Flint River water for corrosion.

The corrosive water caused lead to leach from old plumbing and fixtures, contaminating Flint’s water supply. Lockwood, Andrews denies that it’s responsible for the problem.

In a 2-1 decision, the appeals court says it’s a “local controversy” that belongs in Genesee County.