This was published 8 years ago
Barack Obama declares state of emergency over toxic water in Flint, Michigan
By Ashley Southall
President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in response to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, where thousands of residents have been exposed to toxic amounts of lead.
The president's action on Saturday authorises the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to "co-ordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency" in Genesee County.
FEMA can provide up to $5 million in federal aid to help provide water, filters and other items for up to 90 days to residents whose water has been contaminated since the city switched water supplies in a cost-cutting move in 2014.
The declaration was requested on Thursday by Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican, who had also sought a major disaster declaration and asked for nearly $96 million to be expedited for relief efforts. A disaster declaration would have freed up more federal aid but Flint's problem did not qualify because it was a man-made disaster.
Detroit resident Jaiden Ellis, 8, looks at stacks of free bottled water to be given to the congregation while the Reverend Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader, discusses the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Credit: AP
Flint, which had long received water from Lake Huron provided by Detroit's water utility, began drawing its water from the Flint River in 2014 in an effort to save money while a new pipeline was built. Residents soon complained about rashes and strange odours from the river water, but city and state officials mostly insisted that it was safe to drink. Last year, elevated levels of lead were found in children's blood. In October, Flint switched back to Detroit's water system.
Officials remain concerned that damaged pipes could continue to leach lead, which can cause cognitive damage in children and kidney issues in adults. State officials were also investigating whether the contaminated water was connected to a recent outbreak of Legionnaires' disease that has killed 10 people. Michigan's attorney-general is also investigating the lead contamination of Flint's drinking water.
Flint is a city of about 100,000 people plagued by poverty, ageing infrastructure and a declining population. In his request, Snyder estimated the cost of replacing Flint's water infrastructure at $767 million, a news report said.
His administration has come under criticism for not recognising the severity of the water problem in Flint sooner and moving too slowly to address it. The governor declared a state emergency on January 5, and asked for federal help nine days later.
Filmmaker Michael Moore, who was born in Flint, attends a rally outside City Hall, accusing Michigan Governor Rick Snyder of poisoning the city's water.Credit: AP
Representative Dan Kildee, a Democrat, whose district includes Flint, had pushed for a disaster declaration for months. On Saturday, he welcomed the emergency declaration and blamed the state for creating the water crisis.
"I welcome the president's quick action in support of the people of Flint after months of inaction by the governor," he said. "The residents and children of Flint deserve every resource available to make sure that they have safe water and are able to recover from this terrible man-made disaster created by the state."
Flint residents protest outside City Hall.Credit: AP
Snyder has defended his handling of the water situation in Flint. In an interview with Time magazine on Thursday, he said: "As soon as I became aware of elevated lead levels in blood, we took action."
But that did not satisfy many of his critics, including Senator Bernie Sanders, a Democratic presidential candidate, who on Saturday called for the governor's resignation.
"Because of the conduct by Governor Snyder's administration and his refusal to take responsibility, families will suffer from lead poisoning for the rest of their lives," Sanders said. "Children in Flint will be plagued with brain damage and other health problems. The people of Flint deserve more than an apology."
New York Times