In 2014, Flint city officials changed their water service to the local Flint River in an effort to save money. This water was not properly treated and created a public health crisis and caused children and babies to drink lead. This is still an emergency and some people in Flint still struggle to get access to clean drinking water.
Read ArticleNational Geographic Society, adapted by NewsELA
5/16/2019
For years after the Flint water crisis began, the state helped pay for residents’ water bills because that water was not safe to drink/use without filtration. These credits are ending because officials say that the water is now safe to drink, but Flint’s mayor is against this decision because tap water still needs to be filtered and is not entirely safe.
Read ArticleWashington Post, adapted by NewsELA
3/5/2017
Flint’s water crisis is a story of environmental injustice and bad decision making. Contaminated water in Flint has compromised the health of its youngest generation and has not been adequately or rapidly addressed.
Read ArticleNRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)
Melissa Denchak
11/8/2018
In an attempt to show residents that Flint’s water is safe, Rick Snyder, Michigan’s governor, has announced that he will drink filtered Flint tap water for at least a month. Flint residents have been slow to trust city officials after their decision in 2014 to switch the city to an unsafe water source.
Read ArticleNewsELA
4/25/2016
In 2014, city officials turned to the Flint River as a water source, which led to dangerous levels of lead in the water. Lead leads to numerous problems in children, especially lowered IQ, behavioral disorders, hearing problems, and delayed puberty. It took a long time for the water to be declared unsafe and for the city to distribute clean drinking water.
Read ArticleCNN
12/13/2019
In an effort to save money, Flint’s water service changed from nearby Detroit’s system to the local, contaminated Flint River. This water was not properly treated and residents immediately noticed the change in color, smell, and taste. The most recent testing of Flint’s drinking water showed that 90% of homes have safe water, which means that 10% still do not.
Read ArticleNational Geographic
Dustin Renwick
4/25/2019
Solutions in response to Flint’s water crisis, from providing bottled water and filters to residents to improving the city’s infrastructure, will not be easy or cheap. Lead also causes irreversible health and developmental issues in children that will require funding.
Read ArticleNew York Times
Julie Bosman
2/11/2016
Even low levels of lead in children’s blood can affect their intelligence, ability to pay attention in school, and their academic achievement. All children from Flint need to be screened and many will need additional services because of their lead exposure. The problems that Flint families are facing today were entirely preventable.
Read ArticleCBS News
Margaret Farley Steele
6/24/2016
The state knew about the dangerous levels of lead in Flint’s water, and did not respond quickly enough to prevent severe damages. It’s been five years since this crisis began but Flint residents still can’t trust their water or city officials.
Read ArticleAmerica Dissected
Abdul El-Sayed
11/4/2019
Flint, Michigan failed to provide basic protections to its citizens to save money. Even once the city switches back to clean water, the impacts of this decision will be felt for decades.
Read ArticleVox
1/21/2016
