Snyder fires former head of DEQ water quality unit

LANSING, Mich. (WJBK) - The former head of the state's Department of Environmental Quality Drinking Water has been fired.

Liane Shekter-Smith was officially terminated on Friday by Gov. Snyder according to a state press release.

The former supervisor was dismissed after a disciplinary conference regarding performance. A departmental review of the actions of a second employee who was suspended last month are continuing, the release said.

"After a departmental review of circumstances during the time period leading to the Flint water crisis, the former head of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance unit was officially terminated from state employment today,"  Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statment.

"Putting the well-being of Michiganders first needs to be the top priority for all state employees," Snyder said. "Anything less than that is unacceptable. The DEQ is working to change this culture and ensure mistakes that endanger our residents don't occur again."

This former supervisor was dismissed after a disciplinary conference regarding performance. A departmental review of the actions of a second employee who was suspended last month are continuing.