UPDATE, 01/26/2016:
It's been three weeks since Michigan declared a state of emergency in Flint, but not a single water pipe that contains lead has been replaced, NBC News has learned.
If you have not heard, Flint Michigan is in a water crisis with poisonous water being supplied to them. The water that helps them to cook, bath, and especially drink is now un-usable.
After almost two years after the crisis began, residents are still paying up to $200 a month on water bills.
After almost two years after the crisis began, residents are still paying up to $200 a month on water bills.
As if those problems weren't enough, reports are now saying that if residents don't pay for the water (that is poisonous) they are putting their children in harms way and may have there children removed from their homes.
What???
Yes. Reports claim that you need water in your home, otherwise your children will be taken away. But why should residents pay for water that is poisonous? I guess now the answer is... to keep your children?
FreeThoughtProject--
Michigan law states that parents are neglectful if they do not have running water in their home, and if they chose not to pay for water they can’t drink anyway, then they could be guilty of child endangerment. Activists in Flint say that some residents have already received similar threats from the government if they refuse to pay their bills.
Flint residents have recently filed two class action lawsuits calling for all water bills since April of 2014 to be considered null and void because of the fact that the water was poisonous.
said Trachelle Young, one of the attorneys bringing the lawsuit said in court.
Young added.
“We are seeking for the court to declare that all the bills that have been issued for usage of water invalid because the water has not been fit for its intended purpose,”
“Essentially, the residents have been getting billed for water that they cannot use. Because of that, we do not feel that is a fair way to treat the residents."
This crisis highlights the many dangers of allowing the government to maintain a monopoly on the water supply and calls attention to the fact that decentralized solutions to water distribution should be a goal that we start working towards.
This is scary.
Some reports say they can't even sell their homes (to move away) because the water is contaminated and unsellable. So, residents are stuck in their homes with dirty, contaminated, killing them slowly, water.
News.com--
Initially, the City of Flint told residents the smelly-brown water was still safe, telling residents all they had to do was boil it to rid it of any bacteria.
But in January 2015 local and state authorities finally admitted they had a problem on their hands.
Testing revealed Flint was in violation of the Safe Water Drinking Act due to high levels of trihalomethanes, or TTHM — chemicals used to disinfect water that also increase the risk of cancer and can cause liver, kidney and central nervous system damage in humans.
Infants and children were also found to have higher levels of lead in their blood since switching to the Flint River source, Mic.reported.
These tests were carried out by a team from Virginia Tech which also found that in some extreme cases, the lead concentration was high enough to be considered “toxic waste”.
Ten people have also reportedly died from the pneumonia-like condition Legionnaire’s disease. Experts are still investigating possible links.
Big companies are lending their hands in the crisis.
Anheuser-Busch is sending water to residents of Flint, Mich. The beverage company announced in a press release that it’s shipping over 50,000 cans from its brewery in Georgia to help the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan supply the city with clean, drinkable water.
Celebrities like singer Cher, Pearl Jam, Jimmy Fallon, Mark Walhberg, Meek Mill, Diddy, Dj Envy from Power 105.1's Breakfast Club, The Detroit Lions are leading water bottle fundraisers and donations to help get the city the clean water they need. Others are bringing awareness to the issue.
Hears how YOU can help...
1. Donate To The People Bringing Clean Water To Flint Families
The United Way of Genesee County has set up a dedicated Flint Water Fund. 100 percent of the money donated goes to buying filters and bottled water for Flint residents, as well as other emergency support services and prevention efforts.
2. Support The Researchers Keeping The Public Informed
3. Fund The Organizations Supporting Critical Public Health Services
The Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF) is asking for nationwide donations to the Flint Child Health and Development Fund. Funds will support “public health, medical and community-based services” to address the impact of the water crisis on Flint families.
4. Live In Flint? Bring Cash And Water Directly To Those Who Are Helping
Flint Community Schools accepts both cash donations and bottled water, according to Lansing State Journal. You can make a donation to your neighborhood school on weekdays or call the district’s finance office at 810-767-6030. To schedule a bottled water drop off, contact 810-760-1310.
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