Criminal charges are being laid and officials have just days to name a new, permanent safe water source.
It’s been years since the people of Flint started fighting off high levels of lead in their drinking water.
As a cost-cutting measure, Michigan officials switched water sources for the city back in 2014, from Lake Huron to the polluted Flint River. The result was a population exposed to bacteria and toxins that had a pronounced and tragic affect on the health of residents, including developmental problems in children, increased disease and problems in unborn babies.
Has the problem been solved? Not really. Many residents are still relying on bottled water to stay safe and criminal cases are hitting the courts, as top officials are facing over 50 charges for their decisions. And their serious.
According to reports, Michigan Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and misconduct in office, as well as Michigan Chief Medical Executive Eden Wells. Others are facing charges of lying to police officers and obstructing justice.
Related: Legionnaires’ Disease Now on the Rise Due to Flint’s Contaminated Water Crisis
Flint city officials have been ordered by a federal judge to find a long term water supply for the city that would provide all residents with safe water by October 23rd of this year.
Flint’s case was extreme, but the city is not the only location in the U.S with a lead problem.
According to a report by CNN, about 5,300 U.S water systems shockingly have too much lead in their water.
Children exposed to high levels of lead can be left with mental retardation and behavioral disorders. In adults and children alike, according to the World Health Organization it can cause anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs.
To test your water for lead, click here.