Flint Water Crisis

History

The Flint water crisis developed after the city of Flint, Michigan, tried to save millions of dollars by changing its water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River. The Flint water crisis was due to the fact that the Flint River had a higher concentration of chloride and was more corrosive than the water in Lake Huron. As a result, lead poisoning in the water seeped through the old pipes. More than 100,000 residents had drinking water with lead levels in flint that were considered high. Additionally, Hurley Medical Center’s Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha found that there was nearly double the amount of lead found in blood samples from Flint infants and children since the City switched to Flint Michigan water.

Flint, Michigan and Legionella

The Flint water crisis worsened on January 13, 2016, when Michigan Governor Rick Snyder stated that 87 cases of Legionella (a waterborne disease) were reported near Flint Michigan between June 2014 and November. of 2015, resulting in 12 deaths. . The crisis was officially declared an emergency just a week earlier.

Homicide charges against government employees

The flint water crisis was known to many government agencies and staff before any warning or announcement was made public. Government officials were allegedly aware of the higher concentrations of lead levels, as well as the many cases of Legionnaires’ disease, long before it was made public in 2016. As a result, Attorney General Bill Schuette indicted six government employees manslaughter for his role in the Flint water crisis. The charges stem from the 12 deaths and 87 cases of Legionella disease believed to be related to leaded water from the flint. Gov. Rick Snyder has not yet been charged with any charges.

Lying bureaucrats

To make matters worse, the Flint water crisis exposed government officials falsifying documents with state regulators claiming to show that tests at the Flint water treatment plant had not detected lead. When, in fact, the city ignored federal rules requiring it to search homes with lead plumbing for testing, it could lead the city and state to underestimate the extent of the flint water crisis for months.

This crisis has refocused my belief that government cannot always be trusted to do its job. You need to take care of yourself because no one else will. With that said, I will always recommend that you get an emergency kit with enough water purification tablets for you and your entire family. Include basic items like emergency food and a first aid kit.

Don’t put your faith in a system that’s broken, protect yourself.