DETROIT - The acting chief of the Environmental Protection Agency's water office has told Congress that the crisis in Flint caused by lead in drinking water was "avoidable" and that state officials resisted calls to deal with it.

Joel Beauvais said Wednesday that EPA's regional staff urged Michigan officials "to address the lack of corrosion control" but that state officials delayed responding. He was testifying at the first hearing on Capitol Hill since the lead contamination crisis made national news last year.

The crisis has taken on partisan overtones. Democrats blame the Republican governor and some Republicans have targeted the EPA for failing to intervene sooner.

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director Keith Creagh (KRAY) says the EPA didn't act with enough urgency.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence says all government failed Flint in providing a basic need.