April 6, 2018
By Alice Yin
Lansing, Mich. (AP) — Four remaining free bottled water stations (click here) will close in Flint, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced Friday, more than two years after the state opened them in response to a man-made, lead-tainted drinking water crisis that threatened the health of its residents.
The statement came with an update that the city's water has tested below the federal lead and copper limit of 15 parts per billion for about two years. Levels of 4 ppb were recorded during the first three months of 2018.
"We have worked diligently to restore the water quality and the scientific data now proves the water system is stable and the need for bottled water has ended," Snyder, a Republican, said. "We will now focus even more of our efforts on continuing with the health, education and economic development assistance needed to help move Flint forward."
Residents and local officials criticized the move, noting that many in the city of 100,000 remain distrustful after their water supply was contaminated with lead for 18 months. The contamination happened in 2014 and 2015 when officials used river water that wasn't properly treated. As a result, lead leached from old pipes and fixtures, and the state is still working to replace pipes in the community....
The difference between most Americans and the residents of Flint, is poverty. The residents of Flint were dealing with poisoned water for over a year and their circumstances are still troubling. The lead came from the pipes and most Americans don't expect their water to leach lead into their water. It is unjust to do this to the residents of Flint.
March 5, 2016
By Lucy Schouten
Peggy Schwartz (click here) has lived in Phoenix for 54 years, where she drinks bottled water to avoid what she describes as the bad-tasting tap water.
"I use, for drinking, all bottled water and have forever," says Ms. Schwartz, a realtor, in a phone interview. "But I've never had anything tested. I don't know statistically if it's good, bad, or what."
Schwartz is not alone in wondering about her water quality. More than half of Americans worry that Flint's water crisis is a bellwether for bad water, according to a poll by the Associated Press/GfK, and only one in three is willing to drink water straight from the tap....
April 4, 2018
By Steve Carmody
After more than six years of state oversight, (click here) the city of Flint is finally emerging from receivership.
Flint Mayor Karen Weaver could hardly contain her feelings about the end of state oversight of her city.
“I’m excited. I’m glad they’re gone,” Weaver told reporters after the news broke this afternoon.
The city of Flint is the last Michigan municipality to be under state financial oversight through a Receivership Transition Advisory Board....
