About two years ago the state of Michigan decided to change Flint, Michigan's water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River. This river is locally notorious for its filth. This was all to save money. The switch was only supposed to be temporary, for about two years, while a new state line supply line was being developed.
The river was known for it's filth, and with good reason. Flint river water is nineteen times more corrosive than water taken from Lake Huron. There was so much iron in the water, that it turned brown and have a distinct and gross odor.
The worst part about the water issue is this: because the water wasn't properly treated, lead began to seep into the water. This started two years ago, and up until September, local and state authorities told residents that everything was fine.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a locally known and well-loved pediatrician. Dr. Attisha noticed that lead levels began to double and triple in children after the switch to Flint River. After Dr. Attisha's office went public with their findings, state authorities badgered them for a week before they acknowledged that her findings were in fact true. That's annoying. Why would a doctor who cares about her patients make up this information?
A few weeks after Dr. Attisha's findings, the city reverted back to Lake Huron's water supply. But the damage of lead poisoning is irreversible and pipes used to transport the water still contained lead. Even with properly treated water, lead levels were still detectable in the water flowing through the pipes.
Lead poisoning is irreversible and affects children more easily than it does adults. The affects of lead poisoning are life long. It affects IQ, behavior, can be linked to criminality and even has multigenerational effects.
So whose fault is it? Multiple people were behind the "cover-up". But most residents and officials are blaming the Department of Environmental Quality. The DEQ knew was to do with Flint River's water. They chose not to. It would cost $100 a day to improve the quality of water and overall life of these residents. Dan Wyant, the former director of the DEQ recently resigned. Dayne Walling the former mayor of Flint, Michigan recently lost his re-election bid. No surprise.
It's inhumane. It's not fair. It's wrong. Authorities chose not to correctly treat the water because of the cost. Because of their insensitive choices, many families are suffering the consequences. State agencies are now handing out bottled water and filters to the families of Flint.
read more about it here!
stay peaceful (and filter your water)!!
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