Trying to shave water costs has definitely cost the State (and all Michiganders) and will for a long time.
Governor Snyder has asked the legislature to approve $30 million for credit to be applied to the water bills of Flint residents, from April 2014 and into the future. At least JeniSam may be able to receive a refund that she can pass on to her tenants.
The problem with the leaching lead could have been avoided (or at least delayed) if Flint had waited until the Flint river system was in condition to service the residents. At the time of discussions on switching from the Detroit Water to the Flint River, it was expected the Flint system could be safely operated no sooner than 2016.
At any rate, it is a mess and one not likely to be resolved by closing down roads and transplanting the 90,000+ residents to a different city.