and northeast may be getting their drinking water at least in part from lead pipes. they are concentrated in these older communities, which also are disproportionately where we have more vulnerable populations, people who are poor and predominantly people of color. reporter: michigan s democratic governor signed an executive to expedite the replacement of lead pipes here asking for more money from the state legislature. the republican led state legislature has so far responded by opening an investigation into the water crisis. none of it building confidence for those who live here. the governor says they have a plan they re going to replace all the lead pipes in 18 months. do you believe it? no. why? nothing s happened all this time. does flint have nee water pipes? they re still working on it. okay. there you go. miguel marquez, cnn, benton
any community. reporter: but benton harbor isn t alone. the natural resources defense council and environmental group estimates some 22 million americans, most in the midwest and northeast, may be getting their drinking water, at least in part, from lead pipes. they are concentrated in these older communities which also are disproportionately where we have more vulnerable populations, people who are poor, and predominantly people of color. reporter: michigan s democratic governor signed an executive directive to expedite the replacement of lead pipes here asking for more money from the state legislature. the republican-led state legislature so far has responded by opening an investigation into the governor s response to the water crisis. none of it building confidence for those who live here. the governor says they have a plan, they re going to replace all the lead pipes in 18 months. do you believe it? no. reporter: why? nothing s happened all this time, so why should i
water crisis. none of it building confidence for those who live here. the government says they have plans to replace the pipes in 18 months? no. why not? nothing has happened. does flint have new water pipes? they are working on it. okay. there you go. joining us is the mayor of benton harbor. thank you for being here. let s talk about governor witmer. she has said she wants all of the lead pipes replaced in the next 18 months. a year and a half from now, why can t the work be done faster? first of all, i d like to thank you all for inviting me on the show on behalf of the residents of the city.
responded by opening an investigation into the governor s response to the water crisis. none of it building confidence for those who live here. the governor says they have a plan. they ll replace all the lead pipes in 18 months. do you believe it? no. why? nothing has happened all this time. so why should i does flint have new water pipes? they re still working on it. okay. there you go. reporter: of course, people here in benton harbor and across the state of michigan sensitive to the issues of flint and the massive problem with their water they had several years ago. problems they are still working through. the if everything goes right here in benton harbor, it will be 18 months before all the lead lined pipes are replaced. there are so many other communities across the country that have similar issues. jake? miguel marquez in benton harbor, michigan. follow the money. and you ll find the seditionists. the new cnn reporting on the