What is the Flint Water Crisis?
Lead poisoning is characterized as a disease in which one is exposed to lead either in large amounts very quickly, or in small amounts over time. Some of the main causes of this disease include exposure through air, soil, paint, and water. Some of the many symptoms include weakness in muscles, vomiting, and, severe headaches. Along with these symptoms, lead poisoning can result in several different types of diseases if the person is exposed heavily or over a long period of time. These diseases include paralysis, epilepsy, and, in extreme cases, death. Lead poisoning is very dangerous and, if not treated in time or properly, can take people’s lives.
In April of 2014, governor Rick Snyder changed the water source of Flint from Lake Huron to the Flint River. This move was made to significantly lower the cost of water in Flint. However, the corrosion-control treatments that are, by law, required to take place by the Environmental Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule were, for an unknown reason, discontinued. The pipes used to distribute water from the Flint River into homes are mainly lead pipes, which is extremely dangerous due to the lead’s contamination of the water. In addition, water from the Flint River is nineteen times more corrosive than that of Lake Huron. The solution to this problem, which is to replace the lead pipes is extremely expensive. Due to the fact that 40% of people in Flint live in poverty, it is hard to raise that kind of money in order to solve this devastating issue.
The overarching question is: Is there a solution to this major problem? At the moment there isn’t said to be one. Because the problem isn’t only the water, but the pipes, there isn’t a right or wrong answer. The pipes were outlawed a long time ago, but people living in the aged houses are still living with the old lead plumbing. There are three types of plumbing that exist. The main line which is from the water source to the streets, another line from the streets to the individual houses, and the line from the houses to the tap. In Flint, the main line and the line from the street to the houses are made of lead with addition to some house plumbing being made of lead. The major problem with the water crisis in Flint is the fact that a majority of their population lives under the poverty line. The choice to switch the water source was an attempt to bring the prices of the water bill down. But because of the ill choice to change the water source, many are suffering. The Flint population does not have the money to fix the plumbing as it would cost an excessive amount of money. Many people have said that the expenses should be payed for by the federal government, the state government or even the local government. But who’s to make the decision as to who’s budgeting for the crisis. Many lawsuits have been taken out against Rick Snyder, Michigan governor who made the switch, which is ultimately costing more against the state when the money being used in court could be put to improving the state of the city.
Since there is not a set solution in place, the population in Flint has been using purified water that comes in bottles for their everyday tasks that include but are not limited to bathing, cooking, drinking, and cleaning. During the winter months the crisis received social media buzz globally which lead to the donations of bottled water to skyrocket. But ever since the buzz has died down, the town of Flint has been in need for more bottled water. So what can we do to contribute? This question ranges from big solutions to little. Our goal as Project Unquenchable is not to solve the issue of the Flint water crisis, but to help people become more informed about the topic and to provide help to Flint as they suffer through this catastrophe. Our initiative’s goal is to generate money to donate bottled water to Flint as well as educate the general public.
How we plan to do this you might ask? Well, through a series of fundraisers we plan to generate enough money in addition to donations to contribute a significant amount of water bottles to the town of Flint. We also plan to educate people about the topic through our social media such as Facebook, twitter, instagram, etc. to appeal to a larger crowd. We have also thought to distribute pamphlets around clinics, schools and around the community to appeal to a more traditional crowd. We believe that it is very important to improve your community and that is our predominant goal we hope to achieve through this initiative. To achieve this goal we will need your help. We encourage you to like this page and to stay updated and informed through our social medias so that you can follow upcoming events, new information, and possible merchandise to purchase. We also hope you will pass this information onto a friend, teacher, parent, or mentor. Thank you for your time and we hope to hear from you or see you soon!
In April of 2014, governor Rick Snyder changed the water source of Flint from Lake Huron to the Flint River. This move was made to significantly lower the cost of water in Flint. However, the corrosion-control treatments that are, by law, required to take place by the Environmental Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule were, for an unknown reason, discontinued. The pipes used to distribute water from the Flint River into homes are mainly lead pipes, which is extremely dangerous due to the lead’s contamination of the water. In addition, water from the Flint River is nineteen times more corrosive than that of Lake Huron. The solution to this problem, which is to replace the lead pipes is extremely expensive. Due to the fact that 40% of people in Flint live in poverty, it is hard to raise that kind of money in order to solve this devastating issue.
The overarching question is: Is there a solution to this major problem? At the moment there isn’t said to be one. Because the problem isn’t only the water, but the pipes, there isn’t a right or wrong answer. The pipes were outlawed a long time ago, but people living in the aged houses are still living with the old lead plumbing. There are three types of plumbing that exist. The main line which is from the water source to the streets, another line from the streets to the individual houses, and the line from the houses to the tap. In Flint, the main line and the line from the street to the houses are made of lead with addition to some house plumbing being made of lead. The major problem with the water crisis in Flint is the fact that a majority of their population lives under the poverty line. The choice to switch the water source was an attempt to bring the prices of the water bill down. But because of the ill choice to change the water source, many are suffering. The Flint population does not have the money to fix the plumbing as it would cost an excessive amount of money. Many people have said that the expenses should be payed for by the federal government, the state government or even the local government. But who’s to make the decision as to who’s budgeting for the crisis. Many lawsuits have been taken out against Rick Snyder, Michigan governor who made the switch, which is ultimately costing more against the state when the money being used in court could be put to improving the state of the city.
Since there is not a set solution in place, the population in Flint has been using purified water that comes in bottles for their everyday tasks that include but are not limited to bathing, cooking, drinking, and cleaning. During the winter months the crisis received social media buzz globally which lead to the donations of bottled water to skyrocket. But ever since the buzz has died down, the town of Flint has been in need for more bottled water. So what can we do to contribute? This question ranges from big solutions to little. Our goal as Project Unquenchable is not to solve the issue of the Flint water crisis, but to help people become more informed about the topic and to provide help to Flint as they suffer through this catastrophe. Our initiative’s goal is to generate money to donate bottled water to Flint as well as educate the general public.
How we plan to do this you might ask? Well, through a series of fundraisers we plan to generate enough money in addition to donations to contribute a significant amount of water bottles to the town of Flint. We also plan to educate people about the topic through our social media such as Facebook, twitter, instagram, etc. to appeal to a larger crowd. We have also thought to distribute pamphlets around clinics, schools and around the community to appeal to a more traditional crowd. We believe that it is very important to improve your community and that is our predominant goal we hope to achieve through this initiative. To achieve this goal we will need your help. We encourage you to like this page and to stay updated and informed through our social medias so that you can follow upcoming events, new information, and possible merchandise to purchase. We also hope you will pass this information onto a friend, teacher, parent, or mentor. Thank you for your time and we hope to hear from you or see you soon!