Obama signs emergency order over Flint water crisis

President Barack Obama recently signed an emergency declaration which clears the way for federal aid to reach the two and tackle the water contamination crisis.

The state of emergency gives FEMA and the department of homeland security permission to coordinate relief efforts for the state which include providing water and filters.

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, a Democrat who represents the Flint area, has consistently criticized Snyder’s response to the issue and advocated for greater federal assistance.

Flint’s tap water became contaminated with too much lead after the city switched its water supply in 2014 to save money while under state financial management.

It was revealed a month ago that the water was poisoned with lead, prompting Mr. Snyder to declare a state of emergency and mobilize the national guard. Now that all the players have finally entered the arena, we will watch and wait to see if the citizens of Flint will get what they deserve; some sort of justice for the unspeakable situation they have had to go through.

“We are utilizing all state resources to ensure Flint residents have access to clean and safe drinking water”, Snyder said, “and today I am asking President Obama to provide additional resources as our recovery efforts continue”. “But aid under that designation tends to be far less and far more limited, allowing, for instance, for debris removal and emergency measures, not the kind of permanent work Snyder is seeking to have done replacing water lines with lead in them”.

State officials initially downplayed concerns over levels of lead, but then committed $10.6m to reconnect the city with Detroit and to install filters, testing and other services.

Flint, which is about 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Detroit, returned to using that city’s water in October after tests found elevated levels of lead in the water and in the blood of some children. Lead, which causes brain damage and other health problems in children, leached into the town’s water from pipes.

Residents have complained of vomiting fits, rashes and hair loss as a result of the foul-smelling water. The state Department of Environmental Quality has acknowledged a mistake in failing to require the addition of needed corrosion control chemicals to the water. The probe will determine whether local or state officials violated state laws in their handling of the water system.