A former Flint mayor walked a federal jury through the journey that led the city’s drinking water to become contaminated with lead.
Former Mayor Dayne Walling spent hours on the witness stand as an attorney questioned him on the decisions made to switch Flint from Detroit water to the Flint river.
The city switched back after high levels of lead were discovered in the blood of Flint children.
Walling testified that cost, was the primary factor focused on by state treasury officials and emergency managers running the city.
He also testified no consultants suggested switching Flint’s drinking water would not be safe.
Walling's testimony is part of the federal civil trial involving two engineering firms that consulted on Flint’s water system. They're being sued on behalf of four children exposed to Flint’s tainted tap water.
Walling is expected to continue testifying Tuesday.