Flint officials ask US Congress for $55m to replace city's old lead pipes

Officials from Michigan city testified to congressional leaders Wednesday to 'help us restore our city' after lead was discovered in drinking water

Officials from the embattled city of Flint, Michigan, testified to Democratic congressional leaders on Wednesday to reiterate their call for urgent upgrades to the midwestern city's basic services.

Abnormally high levels of lead were discovered in the city's drinking water after an emergency manager, appointed by the state government, switched Flint's water from Detroit's supply to the Flint river, leading to extra corrosion in the old lead service lines that carry the city's water.