What do you think about when you think about lead? Usually, homeowners think about lead in paint but never think about lead in the water.
Let’s think about one of the most catastrophic events of lead entering a water system in US history: Flint, Michigan. Ring a bell?
In April 2014, during a budget crisis, Flint changed its water source from treated Detroit Water and Sewerage Department water (sourced from Lake Huron and the Detroit River) to the Flint River. Residents complained about the taste, smell, and appearance of the water. Officials failed to apply corrosion inhibitors to the water, which resulted in lead from aging pipes leaching into the water supply, exposing around 100,000 residents to elevated lead levels. (Wikipedia)
The main issue that spun off other issues in Flint Michigan was the change of water sources. The change of water sources from Detroit water to Flint water did not go as planned and in the process changed the molecular structure of the protective layer of pipes. The changing of this protective layer in the pipes exposed the lead layer of the pipes to leech into the water and cause many residual issues that affected the entire population of Flint Michigan.
Some of these residual issues were:
- The water quality was so poor, General Motors stopped using the water as a result of engines rusting out.
- As a result of the contaminated water sources, the government had leaked EPA memos that cited serious lead concerns that lead to rumors of a government coverup that leads to trust issues within the community.
- Researchers were able to confirm high lead levels and that the state was distorting the data to fit their narrative; this also leads to great mistrust with the government and its ability to resolve the water crisis.
- The city was forced to issue boil advisories as a result of the contaminated water which heightens the fears of families. Families worry about the safety of the water for their households and children.
Easily the Flint water crisis was one of the worst crises in the history of the US. Frighteningly enough this is something that could happen to any town in the US. Even though the city has switched back to a cleaner water source there is still evidence that the original switch to Flint water has had lasting effects.
