Former head of Michigan DEQ drinking water quality unit fired

DETROIT – The former head of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) water quality unit has been fired, according to Gov. Rick Snyder's office. 

The employee served as the chief of the DEQ's drinking water and municipal assistance unit and was in the position last year when Flint switched its drinking water system. Snyder's office did not name the employee in a news release. 

Recommended Videos



“Putting the well-being of Michiganders first needs to be the top priority for all state employees,” Snyder said in a news release. “Anything less than that is unacceptable. The DEQ is working to change this culture and ensure mistakes that endanger our residents don’t occur again."

The governor's office said the employee was fired after a disciplinary conference on her performance and that "a departmental review of the actions of a second employee who was suspended last month are continuing."

Local 4 reported Jan. 22 that the governor's office suspended two DEQ employees who misled his administration to believe that Flint's drinking water was safe.