The big state story is the c
ondition of the water in Flint and the leaching of lead into the water because of the corrosive effects.
Again, we see the symptoms of the water, not the cause; if really known with no reservations. I’m not saying lead and other pollutants were not in the water – I’m not an expert nor do I think most of the media are either, however, they weigh in on scientific findings without knowing a scintilla of knowledge of which they write or speak.
If the Flint River water was polluted, as those in the media point out, why would it ever be considered as acceptable to use in the first place? The environmental departments of both state and federal governments looked at the situation, evidently tested the water, and gave the go-ahead to use the Flint River water. The governor, while the head of state government does not have the scientific knowledge or the decision making responsibility in what’s approved for water sources for the city of Flint – it is up to those DEQ departments to approve.
Both the state and federal environmental department directors have resigned. How does that help the people of Flint remove the lead from their water? What was the reason the Flint River water was that much different than water from the Detroit source, H2O is H2O? The only difference is what foreign materials and chemicals may be in the water. Also the pH may be vastly different, which is probably the difference between the two water sources, with the Flint River more acidic. That in turn attacks the lead in the pipes, allowing it to leach into the water. Anyone who knows anything about water chemistry knows the pH is a significant factor in how the delivery system reacts with and is affected by high pH (acidic) water.
Has anyone determined who made what decision when? Was it only the directors of state and federal environmental departments or was it further down the chain of command/responsibility? What about the operating management at the Flint Water Plant? Certainly, they knew about water chemistry and how it affects the water delivery system. Or are they as incompetent as those upper management types? Who was watching and responsible for the operation of the Flint Water Plant? Was he/she fired? And if no, why not?
Who in city of Flint government knew of the change and all the facts surrounding the decision to switch water sources? Somebody in the city knew – city manager, mayor, city council members. Why don’t I see their mugs on the news being asked questions?
And lastly, but certainly the most important, are the citizens of the city of Flint who have had to endure this debacle. Pre-born, infants, babies, and young children may be affected greatly by being exposed to and ingesting lead borne water. Adults surely have been affected and the mental anguish they’ve had to endure knowing their children, relatives, and loved ones have also been lied to about the amount of lead in the water.
This is a disaster of epic proportions for the city of Flint. The state and federal governments should do whatever needs to be done to correct the situation and monitor and treat the health of the populace in the future with no cost to the citizens. The budgets of the state and federal environmental departments responsible for this situation should pay for making the water source within acceptable known limits of healthy water and for any and all health issues.
This is a tragedy. And it will take years to ascertain the damage – emotionally as well as physically. And the state and federal governments have to do all that is possible to correct the water and pay for all medical treatments for those affected.
