Problems continue to plague Flint, Michigan, three years after President Barack Obama declared the town’s water crisis a national emergency.
Last week, the EPA wrote a letter to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and to Flint Mayor Karen Weaver questioning the quality of the Flint Water Treatment center.
The treatment plant has been understaffed, causing workers to work more than 80 hours per week and suffer from fatigue, according to MLive-The Flint Journal. The city claims the EPA “has its facts wrong.”
The water crisis began in 2014, when Flint’s water source was changed from the Detroit River to the Flint River. This water was more corrosive and not treated properly, which caused it to destroy pipes, exposing the water to lead. A state of emergency was declared by then-Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder in 2016, followed by a federal state of emergency declaration.
High concentrations of lead can lead to brain and kidney damage, anemia, and even death. Improper staffing at the treatment facility could further exacerbate the problem if more mistakes in water treatment are made.
While many have given time and money, the issue still does not appear to be fixed. According to UM-Flint student Nicole Smith, while downtown Flint is generally safe, people do not trust the water at the university and bring their own water or buy from vending machines. There are still 2,500 lead pipes in use as of 2019. Most recently, criminal charges in the case against Flint were dropped.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has yet to comment on the letter.
