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U.S. Conference of Mayors push Washington to fix nation's water infrastructure

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Flickr User U.S. Department of Agriculture

The nation’s mayors want Washington to spend more to fix problems with water infrastructure in America’s cities.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors Water Council was in Flint this week to learn more about the city’s water crisis, and how it relates to a growing infrastructure problem nationwide.

Lima, Ohio mayor David Berger says the federal government has been stepping away from its obligation to partner with local governments since the mid-1980’s. 

He’s got a message for Congress;

“You are not providing us with enough financial assistance, so that we at the local level, can meet the costly mandates that YOU, Congress and the federal government, have given to us.”

Rochester Hills mayor Bryan Barnett says it doesn’t matter where the solution comes from, as long as there is a solution to the funding problem.

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Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005.