Flint, Michigan
I live about 60 miles from this city. A few months ago I heard about the lead problem they had with their water. In 2014 they switched over from getting their water through Detroit, which came from the Great Lakes, to getting their water through the Flint River. Because the water was different from the new Flint River source, it needed to be treated. However, the city never treated it. What happen was this Flint River water began to erode the lead in the city infrastructure's pipes and in the pipes of homes who have not updated their pipes from lead, usually homes that were built in the 1960's and older.About 4 to 6 months after the water source was switched, residents of Flint started to complain about the discolored water coming out of their faucets and the bad smell. There were doctors and other water professionals who had actual tests that showed the water contained high levels of lead in it. Some people's blood was tested showing that they had 3x the toxic level of blood in their system. This was all brought to the government's attention which lead to nothing being done about it. In fact, there were high level state government officials, in mid-2015, that held meetings telling the Flint residents to "calm down" there is nothing wrong with your water.
When hearing about this on my local radio station, it was a highly frustrating situation to hear. Who was going to be held responsible for this? Why did this go on for so long before anything is being done about it? How could this happen in the first place? How is this problem going to get fixed?
Now this is a national story....THANKFULLY! Essentially, the whole city of Flint's water supply is unusable. When questioning our Republican governor when he first heard about the lead problem, he says he cannot remember. Even to this day, the governor is still dragging his feet on correcting this problem. Many people have no source of clean water to drink.
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Comments (38)
Yes. It is very sad....disturbing, to me, that it went on so long.
And yes about all the great movies out. I watched 4 in the past 5 days and there are a couple more I would like to see yet.
Thanks for your comment. :)
I have been living in my new location for the last 4 years. I was from a very rural area and always heard about the high crime rate in Flint, so I never really went there until this past year or so. I have driven through there a couple of times and have been to its outskirts and suburbs.
Thanks Call.. :)
Thanks for the historical background with plumbing. I was not aware that some states prohibited any sort of lead for drinking water. Here in Michigan, I thought that was okay...of course I have seen everything else you mentioned...but I have not heard of wood. That is interesting about Rome though.
I am not sure what sort of chemical they should have treated the Flint River water with before running it through the pipes, but you might be right with the chemicals you have mentioned...at least it makes sense. I find it hard to believe that the local government did not know to treat the new water before running it through. But, who knows I guess.
In my opinion, it is unbelievable that this happen in the first place. I grew up always drinking well water...of course having it tested to make sure it was good. Now living in a bigger city where city water is our only choice, I only drink bottled water now. Showering with city water even makes me a little uneasy. Maybe I should move back to my well water? :)
Thanks Ken for sharing your input.
On the water case, I hope they will give some kind of compensation for estimated health damage the people incurred.
Is the people there in Flint, Still paying the Water Bill?___
Whatcha doing up so late? Don't you ever sleep?
Are there stones near the river there. Are they called Flint-stones?
You say you're used to well water? I remember, a friend of mine who likes mixed drinks at bars once told me that some bar was serving Well Drinks. Whatever that means.
It's been raining a lot here lately, the last few days and weeks.. months.
If you need some fresh water there, maybe I can sell you some bottles of water from here and send them to you, just like you were going to do for me when we had a drought here.
Every time I comment on your blogs, you log out and don't reply.
Okay, I understand... maybe you got a phone call or you went out for a service station hamburger.
Have a good night and fun day.
See ya next time.
You still on that "hot girlfriend experience" phone call at 5.99 a minute?
Are you setting up an appointment with the seductress phone lady for a date and time to lay some pipe tomorrow or the next day?
Aww-rrright! Go for it, Johnny!
Good night, it's late here. I gotta get some rest, and sleep with my pillows that have photos of CS ladies silk screened on them.
See ya!
I have a conditon called C.O.P.D just diagnosed 2 year back. They blamed it on being a smoker in past. I stopped smoking 8year ago, they said damage already done.
I worked soldering circuit boards before the time they outlawed lead in solder or the exctracion of air on soldering iron, that was brought our later, I believe lead breathed in at that time has caught up with me, it is a dangerouse thing as it lies in body as body cannot get rid of it. So what long term affect this will have on these poor people is yet to be seen.
As always people in power can not seem to admit to a mistake so there for cannot mend what they do not admit too.
I hope for residants this is cleared up soon for them.
Flint got their water through Detroit which came from the Great Lakes wow I never knew that.
Oh Good-ole Republican Rick Snyder aren't you guys lucky.Gee I wonder what former Gov Jennifer Granholm would had done.
Rick Snyder can't recall the lead problem yeah I'll bet he can't.Typical politician selective memory.
But with compensation, the host/guest on the radio show I listened to figured there were going to be many law suits. Hopefully fairness prevails and they do get what they deserve.
I don't know the history of Flint but it probably got its name from the flint stone. I know there is a lot of Native American history around here.
It's okay Johnny. Admit to nothing.
I wont tell anyone anyways.
I can keep a secret, sort of, maybe , kind of sideways.
maybe you can help a few single ladies there in Flint, and lay some pipe for them.
Just saying, you know, if you're trying to be helpful to them, and yourself.
One of the guest on the radio show I was listening to last night was saying that because the pipes were put in the ground such a long time ago, nobody really kept record of what sort of pipes were used. She was saying, chance are if you called your water supply company they would not know what type of pipes you have near your home. So maybe there are some solid lead pipes.
I like these phones that you can turn the speak-phone up high....I can shower and talk on the phone at the same time.
If I don't remember correctly, I thought you told me before that the pipes at your present home are made of KEMP, plastic kemp or something like that.
I am guessing what you are talking about is like welding where the fumes from the heat rise up into your face. Welding has horrible effect to the lungs from breathing that stuff in. In my opinion, I would not be surprised if later you found out your C.O.P.D. was caused from your job, but have fun, I would think you employer would not want to be held liable.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your post.
There are locals in Flint protesting for Snyder's arrest. Hopefully the bureaucratic levels can be dissected enough to expose who was really at fault...but I doubt it....those are there for a reason.
Thanks Z
What you say does make sense. There were people talking about how they had rashes and they were losing hair. One lady says she has to wear fake eyelashes now because when she lost them all, they didn't grow back the way they were before. For the water to be as discolored as much as they described, I agree with you. Solder joints, I don't think, would do that much destruction.
Thanks Ken
Sounds like a little plumbing prolem...lead being the problem due to leaching...well Ken has a good knowledge base and sounds like he has solved the mystery...
Do Not Drink The Tap Water In Flint...
Thanks for your post. No tap water here...from there. :)