The city of Flint, Michigan, once thrived as the home of the nation’s largest General Motors plant. However, the city’s economic decline began during the 1980s, when GM downsized. In 2011, the state of Michigan took over Flint’s finances after an audit projected a $25 million deficit.
Water Crisis Unfolds
In order to reduce the water fund shortfall, the city announced that a new pipeline would be built to deliver water from Lake Huron to Flint. In 2014, while the pipeline was under construction, the city turned to the Flint River as a water source. Soon after the switch, residents reported changes to the water’s color, smell, and taste.
Tests in 2015 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Virginia Tech indicated dangerous levels of lead in the water at residents’ homes. Lead consumption can affect the heart, kidneys, and nerves. Health effects of lead exposure in children include impaired cognition, behavioral disorders, hearing problems, and delayed puberty.
A class-action lawsuit charged that the state wasn’t treating the water with an anti-corrosive agent, in violation of federal law. As a result, the water was eroding the iron water mains, turning the water brown. Additionally, about half of the service lines to homes in Flint are made of lead, and because the water wasn’t properly treated, lead began leaching into the water supply, in addition to the iron.
Timeline of Events
March 22, 2012 – Genesee County announces a new pipeline is being designed to deliver water from Lake Huron to Flint. April 16, 2013 – On the city council’s recommendation, Andy Dillon, the state treasurer, authorizes Flint to make the switch to Flint River water. April 25, 2014 – The switch to water from the Flint River takes place.
August 14, 2014 – The city announces fecal coliform bacterium has been detected in the water supply, prompting a boil water advisory for a neighborhood on the west side of Flint. The city boosts the amount of chlorine in the water and flushes the system. The advisory is lifted on August 20.
September 5, 2014 – Flint issues another boil water advisory after a positive test for total coliform bacteria. The presence of this type of bacteria is a warning sign that E. coli or other disease-causing organisms may be contaminating the water. City officials tell residents they will flush the pipes and add more chlorine to the water. After four days, residents are told they can safely resume drinking water from the tap.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
