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Attorney William "Billy" Murphy, Jr. (third in from right) discusses a class-action lawsuit that in part seeks $150 million to refund water bills to residents during a Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 press conference in Flint. Gray was joined by civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, attorney Val Washington, attorney Susan L. Burke, Alfred Harris, president of the Concerned Pastors for Social Action, and Flint resident Melissa Mays among others.

(Roberto Acosta | MLive.com)

FLINT, MI -- A class-action lawsuit filed Tuesday, Feb. 2 is seeking $150 million to help refund water bills to thousands of Flint residents and money to repair lead pipes leading to homes.

The lawsuit, filed against Gov. Rick Snyder, his emergency managers, the state and city of Flint, alleges officials were aware of problems with the city's water supply, but took steps to keep residents from finding out.

Baltimore attorney William "Billy" Murphy, Jr. said he was contacted in regards to "explore the possibility of filing a lawsuit that would compensate the citizens of Flint, Michigan for paying for water which was incredibly dangerous and was not what they were supposed to be getting for their money."

He said the suit includes $75 million for a refund of water bills to more than 30,000 residents and an additional $75 million to aid in replacement of pipes leading to homes and incidental damage to items such as water heaters and water pumps caused by lead.

"For the refunds not to have already taken place just as an act of Christian charity, because the city, the state, the local government officials, the governor all know that this was catastrophically wrong and that the citizens should not be made to add insult to injury by having to pay for dangerous, dirty, non-drinkable, non-usable water," said Murphy.

Officials put city residents in "continuous and ongoing danger by misrepresenting that the toxic water was safe and fit for human use and consumption," according to the lawsuit.

The claims point to recent documents released that show state employees in Flint were receiving bottled water while officials continued to tell residents the city's water system was fine.

Dave Murray, press secretary for Snyder, said in a statement that "It would be inappropriate to discuss pending litigation."

"Gov. Snyder remains focused on helping the people of Flint, committed to addressing immediate needs as well as challenges residents may face long into the future," he said.

Murphy said part of their theory behind the 12-count suit is that "when the government creates a harm to its citizens, the citizens are entitled to fair compensation as a result of the injury caused by that harm."

In regards to filing the suit as a class action, attorney Susan L. Burke said the course of action fits "because there are so many people it would be inappropriate to bring them one at a time."

"You wouldn't want to file 31,000 lawsuits separately each to get back the refund," she said, as part of the legal team behind the lawsuit that includes attorney Val Washington.

Washington added "There are common issues of law and fact that arise out of the breach, the conduct, the misconduct that apply to everyone that's in the class (action lawsuit)."

No response has been filed in the case.