Public Comment

Flint, Michigan

Tejinder Uberoi
Friday January 15, 2016 - 02:46:00 PM

There has been growing concern in Flint Michigan of lead contamination in the drinking water. The poisoning of the water began after an unelected emergency manager appointed by Governor Snyder switched the city’s water source to the heavily polluted Flint River in a bid to save money. Lead is an extremely hazardless contaminant that can cause permanent health damage including memory loss and developmental impairment. Tests at Virginia Tech reported that the water could have been treated for as little as $100 a day. The mayor of Flint revealed that it would cost $1.5 billion to fix the city’s crumbling water infrastructure. State officials have ignored residents’ complaints for over a year. Last February, tests showed alarming levels of lead but officials told residents there was no cause for concern. 

Numerous emails from the EPA were ignored. Governor Snyder’s chief of staff, Dennis Muchmore, email sent to health officials admitted Flint residents were, "basically getting blown off by us." 

In a futile effort at damage control, Governor Snyder declared a state of emergency after learning federal prosecutors had opened an investigation into Flint’s drinking water. The scandal reeks of bureaucratic ineptness and there have been growing calls for Governor Snyder to resign or face impeachment.