INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Flint Water Crisis: Plumbers To The Rescue

By Susan Macdonald
Published on: 04:21 PST, Mar 6, 2016

Over 300 plumbers installed free faucets and water filters in Flint, MI, ThinkProgress reported.

https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy/posts/1185793024794887

Flint, MI, has been home to one of the most disastrous cases of “penny wise, pound foolish” in human history. In a futile attempt to save money in 2014, Flint changed its water supply from treated water from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, which serves Detroit and several nearby cities and counties, to water from the heavily-polluted Flint River. Because of aging infrastructure and delayed maintenance, this water, which had not undergone corrosion control treatment, went through old pipes — lead pipes — to reach local homes. This, in turn, led to lead poisoning for the citizens of Flint, hitting the children of the city especially hard. The cost in dollars has already reached millions, and may reach billions. The cost in human suffering may take decades to be fully realized.

When a natural disaster or an especially horrific attack occurs, a meme of this quotation from the Rev. Mr. Fred Rogers (1928 – 2003) floods the Internet.

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

A group of over 300 plumbers took that quotation to heart. From all over Michigan, some from out of state, the plumbers have been donating their time and their resources to help the people of Flint. Part of the problem, as reported by ABC News Channel 12, is that many of the faucets in Flint are old or oddly shaped, making it difficult for them to fit standard filters. Often, new faucets were required before filters could be installed.

The faucets and filters were donated by Plumbing Manufacturers International. The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry coordinated the heroic effort. However, although these new water filters will help immensely, for some families in Flint it may be a case of too little, too late. According to a ThinkProgress report in January, the levels of lead in the water are higher than most filters can handle.

The cost of the water crisis in Flint may be incalculable. Petitions are circulating, demanding the arrest or impeachment of Gov. Rick Snyder. Four government officials — one from the city government of Flint, two from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), and one from the Environmental Protection Agency — have resigned in disgrace. At least one MDEQ staff member was fired and it is probable more will lose their jobs. So far, nine lawsuits have been filled against various government officials; more lawsuits are likely. The financial costs are already in the millions.

The costs in human suffering are worse, CNN reports.

Nakiya Wakes was pregnant with twins. She miscarried both of them, one in the first trimester, one in the second trimester. She blames the lead in the water. Two separate investigations are looking into miscarriages in Flint, one by the state, one by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the doctor who first warned the authorities about the severity of the problem according to CNN.

Wakes also blames the water for the change in her other children’s behavior. Her son, Jalen, 7, and her daughter, Nashauna, 16, both tested positive for lead in their blood.

“My son has been going to the same school for two years. Last year he was suspended one time. This year I have paperwork he has been suspended 56 times. I thought it was just the school and all that, and then I started noticing his behavior at home with just me and my daughter. I started noticing a change in my daughter’s behavior. They’re getting more aggressive.”

Dr. Hanna-Attisha confirmed “lead is a potent known neurotoxin” that affects cognition and behavior.

Eighty-seven cases of Legionnaires’ Disease have been reported in Genesee County, Michigan, although they have not yet been conclusively connected to the water crisis.

Crystle Davidson and other residents have had rashes and skin irritations from bathing in contaminated water. Laura MacIntyre is afraid to bathe in local water and goes to a friend’s house out of town to take showers.

Cheryl Farmer has seen Flint go from a lively city to a dying town. She remembers when the town was full of hope and possibilities. Now, her 8-year-old daughter has tested positive for lead in her blood, and she’s afraid she’ll have to move. She can’t afford to move but she doesn’t dare stay.

More than 300 plumbers have done what they can to help, and the citizens of Flint, MI, are grateful. Given the severity of the Flint water crisis, will that be enough?

[Photo by Sarah Rice/Getty Images]

Share this article: Flint Water Crisis: Plumbers To The Rescue
More from Inquisitr