Flint water crisis

The Flint water crisis is a drinking water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan which began in April 2014. When the city changed its water source from treated Detroit Water and Sewerage Department water to the Flint River, it created a serious public health danger.

In Flint, between 6,000 and 12,000 children have been exposed to drinking water with high levels of lead. They may experience serious health problems.^[1] The water change is also a possible cause of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease that has killed 10 people in the county.^[2]

On January 5, 2016, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency for Flint. President Barack Obama declared a federal state of emergency. He authorized additional help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security almost two weeks later.^[3]

Flint Water Crisis Media

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, and Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Vadnais, director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard, oversee a ceremony held for the celebration of 100 years of Camp Grayling being established. (Photo by Spc. Brandon Ames, 126 Press Camp Headquarters, Michigan Army National Guard)
On her first day in office, Governor Gretchen Whitmer directed state employees to immediately report to their department or agency director any threat to public health or safety.
Water tower at the Flint Water Plant
Flint River in Flint, Michigan
Mona Hanna-Attisha led the first Hurley Medical Center lead poisoning study.
Marc Edwards led the first Virginia Tech Flint water study.
Mayor Karen Weaver declared the city to be in a state of emergency on December 15, 2015.
President Barack Obama sips filtered Flint water following a roundtable on the crisis at Northwestern High School on May 4, 2016.
2017 Climate March protester holds up an anti-Rick Snyder sign on the Flint water crisis