FLINT, MI -- Water from Detroit is flowing into Flint again.

But it'll be about three weeks before all of the city's pipes are clear of water from the Flint River, city officials said Friday.

Mayor Dayne Walling announced Friday afternoon the city was reconnecting to Detroit Department of Water and Sewerage as a water source at 5 p.m.

The city held a press conference on Friday, Oct. 16, at Freeman Elementary to announce the switch would take place that evening. The school is one of three in the Flint School District that tested above 15 parts per billion for lead, the safety standard set by the federal government.

"When we learned that Flint's drinking water was contributing to high lead levels in Flint, it made me furious and this community was rightly outraged." Walling said. "My immediate reaction to learning from our doctors about high lead levels was to not take no for an answer from the Snyder administration and to insist that they approve and help fund the switch to a safe drinking water source from Detroit."

Detroit water was to be introduced into the Flint system throughout the evening. It is expected that the thorough replacement from Flint River water to Detroit water will happen after approximately three weeks, according to a news release from the city. Residents in Flint may see discoloration as well as noticing some taste and odor issues during the transition.

Water provided by DWSD will contain corrosion control agents to hinder the leaching of lead from old pipes into the water. However, the city will also be adding additional corrosion control agents to further minimize the risk presented by lead pipes, according to the release.

Walling said extraordinary efforts all around made the quick switch possible.

"The city council approved the $2 million pledge that was necessary from the city of Flint, because we had to take action -- that was approved by the transition advisory board. The Legislature moved quickly. The governor has signed the appropriation. The C.S. Mott Foundation has come forward." Walling said.

"But I have to tell you that it's the men and women in the water department who have worked tirelessly to get us to this point so quickly. All the work that had to get done with the transmission lines, with the testing, and with the cleaning so that today at 5 p.m. clean water from Detroit will begin flowing back into Flint's system," Walling said.

House Democratic leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) applauded an emergency measure that directed about $9.4 million in state funds to restore clean drinking water to Flint and take steps to help children affected by high lead levels.

"The actions of the governor's office and the governor-appointed emergency manager for Flint are the direct cause of the Flint water disaster," Greimel said in a statement. "Beyond that, we must hold the Department of Environmental Quality responsible as well. There were so many opportunities to stop this before it started, so many people this had to pass through, before the switch could be made, and not a single person looking at this saw families at risk. They saw dollar signs. Therefore, it's not just appropriate, but morally incumbent, on the state to restore clean water to families in Flint. These families are paying for the bad decisions made by the governor and his appointed administrators. It would be wrong to expect these families to pay extra to fix those mistakes."

According to a news release from Greimel's office, Under House Bill 4102, a supplement budget bill, the state will appropriate:

$6 million to connect Flint to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

$1 million to test Flint water samples.

$1 million to purchase and install water filters.

$850,000 to the childhood lead program.

$500,000 to support programs.

Add three positions within the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to help oversee Flint's water system.

Walling echoed Greimel's sentiment, saying while he appreciated the quick action, the situation should never have happened.

"I appreciated the Legislature and the state's quick action on the issues when it was brought before them, but this was a crisis that should have never happened in the first place," Walling said. "Gov. Snyder and the emergency managers caused this problem, plain and simple, and we're making sure that they fix it."

Walling said the money from the state to reconnect to Detroit is just a start. He said he is going to demand tens of millions in additional investments in Flint's infrastructure and for the replacement of lead service lines.

The precautionary measures, such as water filters, currently being taken by residents should remain in place in the coming months, Walling said.

"I've also been heartened by the incredible outpouring of support from the entire community. I again want to say thank you," Walling said. "We came together, we provided for the needs of our most vulnerable kids and families, and those precautionary measures need to stay in place in the coming weeks and months. It's going to take time for the Detroit water to move through the system, for our pipes to be healed, for our families and our children who have been affected to be healed."

The reconnection comes after months of controversy after the city disconnected from Detroit in April 2014 and began drawing its water from the Flint River to save money.

Residents with questions or concerns about the hydrant flushing in their area can call the Water Service Center at 810-766-7202. Continuing information on water will be provided via the City of Flint's website, cityofflint.com.