Washington, Feb 12 (Prensa Latina) Debate on contamination in the US city of Flint, Michigan, intensified today, following the request made by governor of this state Rick Snyder, asking 360 million USD to handle the crisis, an amount considered by experts as insufficient.
Out of the total requested by Snyder, $15 million USD will be allocated to handle the emergency in Flint and some $165 million USD will be used to improve drinking water supply in the territory, although members of the Democrat Party said that this is only part of the resources needed.

Local media pointed the pending replacement of the copper and lead pipes that increase pollution, while officials estimate a cost of more than $ 760 million USD and the delayed implementation of the program for months.

Snyder said that some $25 million USD of that funding will be used to replace about 5,000 pipes, from the streets of the city to the houses, something that represents a temporary solution until a deeper assessment of similar needs is carried out.

Snyder apologized repeatedly in the recent weeks for the responsibility of his management in this crisis, while dozens of demonstrators shouted slogans against him during his almost one-hour speech at the local legislature, with Republican majority.

Flintâ�Ös mayor Karen Weaver (Democrat) asked President Barack Obama to visit this city and review the site, strengthening an issue which is already subjected to debate in the campaign in view of presidential elections in November.