Part One
Most of us know the story but here is again... In a nutshell.
Back in 2013, Flint City Council run by the Democrats, authorizes Flint to switch its water supply to Flint River water, with projection to save $5 million a year, and the switch is completed in 2014. Few months later, GM plant switched of Flint water to neighboring town, because their parts were corroding due to the high chlorine level.
Next year, in 2015, Flint warns residents the water contains disinfectant byproducts that could increase their risk of getting cancer. The water is deemed safe to drink for the general population but the elderly and parents of young children are urged to consult their doctors. Weeks later, the old water supplier, The Detroit water system offers to reconnect Flint with its Lake Huron water supply and waive a $4 million reconnection fee but city officials decline because of concerns rates will be hiked significantly in the future.
Meanwhile, Flint residents meet over concerns that the water is discolored and is causing rashes and otherwise sickening their children. The EPA notifies the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality 9MDEQ) that lead water levels are 7 times higher than normal. The following test show lead water level is more than 20 times higher than normal. EPA finds out that corrosion control treatment was not used to keep lead from leaching out of the systemās pipes.
Because of that, Flint City Council votes to stop using river water and to reconnect with Detroit, but the state-appointed emergency manager overrules council. First lawsuits were filed.
After months of testing find elevated lead in Flint water supply, the MDEQ orders the city to maximize its use of corrosion controls. The EPA announces it will help Flint develop a corrosion control treatment plan. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announces Flint will stop using Flint River water, and in October 2015 Flint switches its water supply back to Detroitās system.
Early in 2016, ACLU and the Natural Resources Defense Council, filed a federal lawsuit against Michigan for alleged violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Additional lawsuits were filed against Governor Snyder, and criminal charges are filed against three state and city officials.
End of 2016, ACLU files a class action lawsuit against Flint schools for exposing students to lead tainted water and inadequately testing them for learning disabilities caused by lead in the water. In January 2017 The MDEQ states that six month tests show lead levels in Flintās water meet federal drinking water standards.
In February 2017 Michigan Civil Rights Commission finds "deeply embedded institutional, systemic and historical racism" contributed to the Flint water crisis. The EPA gives Flint a $100 million grant to upgrade its water system infrastructure. In addition, a federal judge approves a $97 million settlement that requires Michigan to pay for the replacement of approximately 18,000 residential water service lines in Flint by January 2020.
But is it over? See part two.
Most of us know the story but here is again... In a nutshell.
Back in 2013, Flint City Council run by the Democrats, authorizes Flint to switch its water supply to Flint River water, with projection to save $5 million a year, and the switch is completed in 2014. Few months later, GM plant switched of Flint water to neighboring town, because their parts were corroding due to the high chlorine level.
Next year, in 2015, Flint warns residents the water contains disinfectant byproducts that could increase their risk of getting cancer. The water is deemed safe to drink for the general population but the elderly and parents of young children are urged to consult their doctors. Weeks later, the old water supplier, The Detroit water system offers to reconnect Flint with its Lake Huron water supply and waive a $4 million reconnection fee but city officials decline because of concerns rates will be hiked significantly in the future.
Meanwhile, Flint residents meet over concerns that the water is discolored and is causing rashes and otherwise sickening their children. The EPA notifies the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality 9MDEQ) that lead water levels are 7 times higher than normal. The following test show lead water level is more than 20 times higher than normal. EPA finds out that corrosion control treatment was not used to keep lead from leaching out of the systemās pipes.
Because of that, Flint City Council votes to stop using river water and to reconnect with Detroit, but the state-appointed emergency manager overrules council. First lawsuits were filed.
After months of testing find elevated lead in Flint water supply, the MDEQ orders the city to maximize its use of corrosion controls. The EPA announces it will help Flint develop a corrosion control treatment plan. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announces Flint will stop using Flint River water, and in October 2015 Flint switches its water supply back to Detroitās system.
Early in 2016, ACLU and the Natural Resources Defense Council, filed a federal lawsuit against Michigan for alleged violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Additional lawsuits were filed against Governor Snyder, and criminal charges are filed against three state and city officials.
End of 2016, ACLU files a class action lawsuit against Flint schools for exposing students to lead tainted water and inadequately testing them for learning disabilities caused by lead in the water. In January 2017 The MDEQ states that six month tests show lead levels in Flintās water meet federal drinking water standards.
In February 2017 Michigan Civil Rights Commission finds "deeply embedded institutional, systemic and historical racism" contributed to the Flint water crisis. The EPA gives Flint a $100 million grant to upgrade its water system infrastructure. In addition, a federal judge approves a $97 million settlement that requires Michigan to pay for the replacement of approximately 18,000 residential water service lines in Flint by January 2020.
But is it over? See part two.
