DETROIT – As residents return home following a massive water main break last month, some families are concerned about safety.
---> One month later: Where things stand after the Southwest Detroit water main break
Last year, Leticia and Ruben Rodriguez underwent extensive lead abatement work in their home.
However, when their basement flooded, they believed the improvements were compromised.
“Very stressful. Very angry,” Leticia Rodriguez expressed.
The family, who are foster parents, are currently living in a hotel. They had qualified for a lead abatement grant last summer. In February, they found themselves back at square one.
Bill Shuster, Ph.D., a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Wayne State University, stressed the importance of parents being proactive in testing their children for lead.
“What was considered a safe space is now possibly a source of lead-containing dust,” he said.
Contractors removed several feet of paneling and columns, which reportedly led to new lead exposure.
The family immediately reached out to the city for assistance.
“We don’t have [any] answers. So, that’s like what are we going to do?” Ruben Rodriguez said.
The parents purchased a lead test kit, which they claimed tested positive.
Veronica Rodriguez, advocating for the family, emphasized the need for city intervention.
“When the mayor was in front of the news media, he said it would be taken care of and that they would take full responsibility of what happened,” she said.
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department told Local 4 it has communicated with the family about repairs and next steps. They also have committed to testing the house with an expert as a precautionary measure.
