Flint Michigan Water Crisis. By: Rohan Lutra & Chinoso Okocha

Transcription

1 Flint Michigan Water Crisis By: Rohan Lutra & Chinoso Okocha

2 Background Information The once mighty rustbelt City of Flint is located in central Michigan. Just 70 miles northwest of Detroit. At a growing population of 99,763 residents (2013 consensus), 41.6% of the residents live below the poverty line and the median household income is $24,679(CNN 2). Flint, Michigan once reigned supreme as the hearth of the nation s largest General Motors plant. The economic decline started in the 1980s as GM began shrinking it s company size.

3 The Water Crisis With having troubles maintaining a water finance budget for the City of Flint. Councilmen/women voted to use the Flint River as an emergency water source(backup). Doing this despite the residents concerns for sewage waste and industrial toxins found in the river. In 2012, a new pipeline is announced and designed to deliver water from Lake Huron to Flint. This plan is to reduce cost and save the city money from their original contract with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department

4 The Water Crisis(cont ) In April of 2013, DWSD terminates its water contract with the City of Flint which would be in effect of the following year. With the current pipeline construction plan still underway, the city turned to the Flint River as its source of water for the next two years. A year later(2014), the switch to the Flint River was delayed as workers were still installing disinfectant system at their treatment plan. Four months later, the city issued a boiling water advisory as fecal coliform bacteria was detected.

5 The Water Crisis(cont ) From , one issue lead to another in which ended up being a full domino effect. With the discovery of aging pipes being clogged and filled with bacteria to new research showing the disinfectants have been related to an increase of health risks such as cancer. Noticeable mentions are: February of 2015, huge build up levels of TTHM, a cancer causing byproduct from chlorine and organic matter. The Environmental Protection Agency investigated a report from Lee-Anne Walters, a mother of four who had contacted the agency after seeing dark sediments in her tap water and believing it could possibly be making her children sick.

6 Lee-Anne Walters Deemed a Hero for exposing deception and faults of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and EPA. After discovering lead in her home, she lead the charge and eventually more than 100 homes were discovered to have high levels of lead found in the taps, and piping system. Despite being lied to by the MDEQ she reached organizations that could help her city.

7 The Water Crisis(cont ) From early 2016, a state of emergency was declared for the City of a Flint, and throughout the year has resulted in finger pointing and the blame game. Many residents are still lacking water as their main source getting water is through water bottles and water jugs provided by the state and foundations. Big events: March 31, Lawyers, including some with the NAACP, file a class action lawsuit against Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, PC, the state of Michigan, Governor Snyder and others. Plaintiffs seek damages for those affected by the water crisis. April 25, Five hundred and fourteen residents and former residents of Flint file a class action lawsuit against the EPA

8 Interesting news Veterans are taking their fight from Dakota to Flint!

9 YouTube: Video

10 Citations "Flint Water Crisis Fast Facts." CNN. Ed. CNN LIbrary. Cable News Network, 17 Oct Web. 08 Dec < "COMMENTARY: MDEQ Mistakes and Deception Created the Flint Water Crisis." Flint Water Study Updates. Flint Water Study.org, 04 Oct Web. 08 Dec <