washington president barack obama ensure federal officials hold accountable wrongdoing uncover u.s. environmental protection agency handle water contamination crisis flint michigan white house say thursday president believe principle accountability important particularly stake high white house spokesman josh earnest tell reporters brief note justice department investigate contamination flint water supply earnest say obama make sure epa officials hold responsible errors wrongdoing may uncover obama wednesday say inexplicable inexcusable families flint immediately notify contaminate water federal local government agencies face criticism response crisis flint switch water supply cash-strapped city 100,000 north detroit lead elevate level lead drink water high level lead blood cause brain damage health problems obama administration repeatedly stress oversight flint water primarily responsibility state local authorities epa say act fast enough address problem complaints flint water begin within month city switch flint river water april 2014 save money city use lake huron water source flint return lake huron water supply october 2015 test show elevate level lead flint tap water children epa action flint water crisis examine white house