Problem Solution Essay: The Flint Water Crisis

Flint Water Crisis The Flint Water Crisis started in 2014 when officials decided to use water from the Flint River while building a pipeline that would supply water at a later time. This decision was not based on what was best for the residents in Flint, Michigan, but about saving money for a city that was in a financial turmoil. Immediately after the switch from Lake Huron in Detroit to the Flint River, residents started having complaints of smell and taste. It was later discovered that the new water source was delivering high levels of lead in the drinking water. Which eventually led to “President Obama declaring it a federal state of emergency in January 2016” (Durando, 2016). With the crisis being so current it gives us the opportunity to look at how it is being handled in real time. As I read through the articles and the remediation steps that have been taken so far, my first impression was the downplaying of the situation. Also, it feels that everyone who is involved is placing blame on someone else and not taking responsibility for their part. The following quotes show me the deflection of the officials involved.

• “Mayor Dayne Walling, who pushed the ceremonial button that changed Flint's water source in late April, said that in hindsight, he now believes the challenges of treating river

This situation started in 2014 and it wasn’t until “January 5, 2016that Snyder declared a state of emergency and Jan. 12 that he mobilized the National Guard to assist with distribution of bottled water and water filters. Although, the state helped Flint switch back to Detroit water in October, the danger remains because of the damage the Flint River water did to the water distribution system. President Obama declared a federal state of emergency in Flint on January 16” (Durando,