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Flint water crisis

2014 disasters in the United States2014 health disasters2014 in Michigan2014 in the environment2015 disasters in the United States
2015 health disasters2015 in Michigan2015 in the environment2016 disasters in the United States2016 health disasters2016 in Michigan2016 in the environment2017 disasters in the United States2017 health disasters2017 in Michigan2017 in the environmentApril 2014 events in the United StatesCover-upsEconomy of Flint, MichiganEnvironment of MichiganEnvironmental disasters in the United StatesEnvironmental justice in the United StatesFlint, MichiganHealth disasters in the United StatesHealth in MichiganLead poisoning incidentsPolitical scandals in MichiganUse American English from April 2021Use mdy dates from November 2021Water supply and sanitation in the United StatesWater supply infrastructure in Michigan
Flint, Michigan Skyline
Flint, Michigan Skyline

The Flint water crisis was a public health crisis that started in 2014 after the drinking water for the city of Flint, Michigan was contaminated with lead and possibly Legionella bacteria. In April 2014, during a financial crisis, state-appointed emergency manager Darnell Earley changed Flint's water source from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (sourced from Lake Huron and the Detroit River) to the Flint River. Residents complained about the taste, smell, and appearance of the water. Officials failed to apply corrosion inhibitors to the water, which resulted in lead from aging pipes leaching into the water supply, exposing around 100,000 residents to elevated lead levels. A pair of scientific studies confirmed that lead contamination was present in the water supply. The city switched back to the Detroit water system on October 16, 2015. It later signed a 30-year contract with the new Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) on November 22, 2017.On January 5, 2016, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency in Genesee County, of which Flint is the major population center. Shortly thereafter, President Barack Obama declared a federal state of emergency, authorizing additional help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.Between 6,000 and 12,000 children were exposed to drinking water with high levels of lead. Children are particularly at risk from the long-term effects of lead poisoning, which can include a reduction in intellectual functioning and IQ, and an increased chance of Alzheimer's disease. The water supply change was considered a possible cause of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the county that killed 12 people and affected another 87, but the original source of the bacteria was never found.Four government officials—one from the city of Flint, two from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), and one from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—resigned over the mishandling of the crisis, and one additional MDEQ staff member was fired. In January 2021, former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and eight other officials were charged with 34 felony counts and seven misdemeanors—41 counts in all—for their role in the crisis. Two officials were charged with involuntary manslaughter. Fifteen criminal cases have been filed against local and state officials, but only one minor conviction has been obtained, and all other charges have been dismissed or dropped. On August 20, 2020, the victims of the water crisis were awarded a combined settlement of $600 million, with 80% going to the families of children affected by the crisis. By November, the settlement grew to $641 million.An extensive lead service pipe replacement effort has been underway since 2016. In early 2017, some officials asserted that the water quality had returned to acceptable levels, but in January 2019, residents and officials expressed doubt about the cleanliness of the water. There were an estimated 2,500 lead service pipes still in place as of April 2019. As of December 8, 2020, fewer than 500 service lines still needed to be inspected. As of July 16, 2021, 27,133 water service lines had been excavated and inspected, resulting in the replacement of 10,059 lead pipes. After $400 million in state and federal spending, Flint has secured a clean water source, distributed filters to all who want them, and laid modern, safe, copper pipes to nearly every home in the city. Politico declared that its water is "just as good as any city's in Michigan." However, a legacy of distrust remains, so residents often refuse to drink the tap water.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Flint water crisis (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Flint water crisis
West Fifth Street, Flint

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Wikipedia: Flint water crisisContinue reading on Wikipedia

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N 43.01 ° E -83.69 °
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West Fifth Street 392
48502 Flint
Michigan, United States
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Flint, Michigan Skyline
Flint, Michigan Skyline
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Flint Local 432
Flint Local 432

The Flint Local 432 (or "the Local") is a non-profit 501(c)(3), all-ages, substance free music venue located in downtown Flint, Michigan. The Local's name is a reference to the autoworker unions located in the area. It was founded in the mid-1980s by Joel Rash, for the purpose of providing the Flint area with an all-ages venue for local and national bands to play that was focused on the music. Even though it has faced many challenges and changed buildings multiple times, the Local has continued to survive to the current day and been a home to any band that wants to be heard. In 2011, the Local established 501(c)(3) non-profit status by merging with then defunct non-profit Red Ink Flint. After receiving a generous grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Local renovated its permanent space and officially reopened its doors at 124 W. First Street in April 2012. In addition to providing a space for local musicians and bands to play, the Local serves as an incubator for young entrepreneurs seeking to start businesses as shown with the recent opening of Bearded Lady Records, an independently owned record store. In recent history, the success of local bands Chiodos and The Swellers—who both got their start playing at the 432—has generated a significant amount of fresh interest in the venue. The Local has received positive mentions in many national publications and blogs including Blender (magazine) and Alternative Press.