"The head of the Midwest region of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offered her resignation over the water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan, the agency said on Thursday, as it issued an emergency order to resolve the growing problem.

Susan Hedman, the second official to resign since the crisis unfolded, had played down a memo by an EPA employee that said tests had shown high levels of lead in the city's water, telling Flint and Michigan administrators it was only a draft report.

Hedman's resignation will take effect Feb. 1, the EPA said. Before the agency's announcement on Hedman, the White House said President Barack Obama will ensure officials will be held accountable if any wrongdoing is found."

Timothy Gardner and Fiona Ortiz report for Reuters January 21, 2016. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Michigan Governor Will Be Called To Congressional Hearing On Flint Water Crisis" (Reuters) [3]

"A Question of Environmental Racism in Flint" (New York Times) [4]