Amid the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, where residents are exposed to water with toxic levels of lead, President Obama said Thursday that he and his administration are giving $80 million to Michigan to help repair the city’s water infrastructure.
Speaking to a room full of mayors at the White House, Obama called the water contamination in Flint an “inexcusable” situation.
“Our children should not have to be worried about the water that they’re drinking in American cities,” he said. “That’s not something that we should accept.”
[RELATED: 5 Ways You Can Help the Water Crisis in Flint, Michigan]
A White House official said the $80 million will be made available to Michigan immediately. However, it will be up to the state to decide how much of the money will be used towards Flint.
In addition to $80 million from the federal government, the state of Michigan is giving $28 million for bottled waters and filters, as well as health, educational and nutritional services for children with lead in their bloodstreams.
“I want to thank President Obama for quickly responding to our request for federal assistance,” The Detroit News reports U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) Â saying in a statement.
“This is the type of leadership and action my community deserves,” added Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint.
With $80 million in federal funding, Michigan has to submit a plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5 office with details on how it intends to use the money.