Obama visiting Flint for first time since water crisis began

Despite complaints from residents about the smell and taste and health problems, city leaders insisted the water was safe.

The source of the city's water was subsequently switched back to Detroit, but the lead problem still is not fully solved, and people are drinking filtered or bottled water.

An independent commission appointed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder determined the state was primarily responsible for the water contamination in Flint, and he issued an apology.

The Obama administration's response, through the Environmental Protection Agency, has also come under criticism from Snyder and some in Congress who say that the EPA didn't move with necessary urgency upon hearing of problems.

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy told Congress that, while staff repeatedly urged the state to address the lack of corrosion controls, "we missed the opportunity late last summer to quickly get EPA's concerns on the public's radar screen."