Cher Donated 180000 Bottles Of Water To Flint, Michigan. Because She’s Cher

Cher is offering assistance to the people of Flint, Michigan, whose water supply has been contaminated with lead since 2014.

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 president did so on Saturday, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to lead Washington’s disaster relief.

The tap water in Flint, population 99,000, became contaminated after the city switched from the Detroit water system to the Flint River while a pipeline to Lake Huron is under construction. Federal funding will help cover the cost of providing water, water filters and other items.

Typically, federal aid for a state of emergency is capped at $5 million, though the president can commit more with approval from Congress.

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder had asked the president to declare both an emergency and an expedited major disaster in Genesee County to protect the safety of Flint residents.

The more corrosive water from the Flint River leached lead from the city pipes more than Detroit water did, leading to the current problems.

“Although many individuals and entities at state and local levels contributed to creating and prolonging the problem, (DEQ) is the government agency that has responsibility to ensure safe drinking water in MI”, the task force summary reads.

Michigan’s attorney general has said he will investigate the water crisis to see whether any state laws were violated.

State officials ignored months of health warnings about the foul-smelling water as residents complained it was making them sick, break out in rashes and lose hair.

Democratic presidential contender, Bernie Sanders has stepped into the fray, joining outraged Flint residents and calling for the resignation of Governor Snyder, reports CBS News.

A state task force recently faulted Snyder’s Department of Environmental Quality for not requiring Flint to treat the river water for corrosion and for its derisive response to the public’s fears.

Pastor Bobby Jackson hugs Flint, Mich., resident Joanne Diaz as she picks up cases of free bottled water Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at Mission of Hope on Flint’s north side.

The singer wants to make sure that the town’s 100,000 residents have access to clean water and has teamed up with Icelandic Glacial to donate 181,440 bottles of water to the city.