Flint water crisis: Michigan officials ignored EPA warnings about toxicity

'We all let the people of Flint down,' authorities tells Congress in hearing that also highlights flawed water testing practices that persist in other major US cities

The Environmental Protection Agency warned of an unfolding toxic water crisis in Flint but was "met with resistance" by Michigan authorities, a fiery congressional hearing into the city's public health disaster has heard.

Expert advice was dismissed, prompting Michigan's government to issue an apology to the people of Flint at the hearing for sidelining people who raised concerns over dangerous levels of lead in in the city's water.