Final Paper

1

Flint Water Crisis and Alleviation Strategies

Charmaine J. Jackson

Applied Biostatistics-PUH-5302

Professor Edward Chiyaka

10/16/2020

Flint Water Crisis and Alleviation Strategies

Introduction

What is Flint Water Crisis and Where it was reported

I will explore the whole idea about the Flint water crisis, whereby it is a public health crisis that began in 2014. It occurred after drinking the water used in Flint city, Michigan, that was contaminated with lead (Masten, Davies, & Mcelmurry, 2016). I will cover what happened when Flint changed its water source to Flint River, the failures to treat the water, the spread of lead in water, and the population affected. I will also present how the lead was discovered in Flint River water.

Declaration of State of Emergency upon discovery of Flint Water Crisis

Following the discovery of Flint River's harmful effects, who and when was the state of emergency declared. Presented is also the help received by Flint residents to offset the effects of contaminated Flint River Water (Zahran, McElmurry, & Sadler, 2017). The diseases caused by contaminated Flint River water will too be exposed, alongside the rippling effects it had on the government's functionality.

Extensive lead service pipe replacement efforts

What has been done to curb the lead spread on pipes supplying water will too be explained, from which year and what technology is used to identify the lead-poisoned water pipes (Pieper, Tang, & Edwards, 2017). The achievement so far in replacing contaminated water pipes will be explored.

Excavations of water service lines

Finally, the extent of excavation of pipelines will be explained alongside the percentage of homes that have been inspected on pipe lead poisoning remains.

Background

Prior information on the installation of water service lines in Flint

Covered are the years and how the piped water supply was made in Flint, alongside the benefits of such water supply to homes (Masten, Davies, & Mcelmurry, 2016). How lead can leach to water in pipes is also covered.

Prior treatment of water supply from lead poisoning

Water supply to Flint that had been treated before to acceptable lead levels and the estimated number of service lines in the city of Flint.

Prior information on lead exposures in the country

The trend of lead exposure in the US since the 1980s, alongside the safe intake levels and the population at great risk of low lead levels of lead intake (Zahran, McElmurry, & Sadler, 2017).

CDC advisory on the recommended lead intake

The year and safe levels of lead intake advised by CDC, how .lead can enter the human body, type of water with great risk of lead contamination, and the characteristics of plumbing with lead exposures (Masten, Davies, & Mcelmurry, 2016).

Transition to New Water Sources

Genesee County in 2011

Initiation of Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA) by Genesee country. The role of KWA and the subsequent purchase of water from KWA by Fling City Council (Pieper et al., 2018). The proposition to source more water from Lake Huron as agreed between KWA and Flint City Council and waiting for approvals by the state treasury and the subsequent offers by Detroit Water and Sewage Department (DWSD) to Flint that flopped.

Detroit Water and Sewage Department (DWSD) in 2013

The moves by DWSD to curtail the moves by Flint and KWA from state approval for fear of water wars (Pieper et al., 2018). The response by Drain Commission of Genesee accusing DWSD of corrupting media, while stating the stance of the state regarding the matter.

State Treasurer Andy Dillon in 2013

The approval of the water purchase contract between KWA and Flint City alongside the reaction of DWSD and the rejoinder by the Flint City Council.

Treatment of Water by Flint in 2014

The move by Flint to change its water source from the purchase from Lake Huron to treating its water from River Flint, alongside the profitability motivation of the move. Other transactions are undertaken by Flint as it switched its water source from Detroit to its own treatment (Zahran, McElmurry, & Sadler, 2017). Information on the subsequent progress of Flint to treat its water from River Flint and the views of other entities regarding the move.

Lead Exposure Findings

Early signs of water lead poisoning

The origin of the discovery of Flint Water poisoning. The features of bad water, as reported by the city residents (Pieper et al., 2018). The take by Flint water authorities on the complaints by the residents.

Study of River Flint water by researchers

The studies were undertaken by Michigan Tech researchers on Flint river water alongside the findings that had evidence of lead poisoning. The contribution of knowledge by the gurus in the water poisoning field.

The reaction by Flint Water Authorities

The reaction of Flint water authorities to the public outcry on bad water in defense of their business with the authorities. The nature of information in the documents filed by Flint Water authorities and their claims and types of pieces of evidence was used (Pieper et al., 2018). The reaction of state authorities to misconduct by Flint water officials in false claims defending their stance on the purity of water supplied to locals.

Release of study report of River Flint Water

The reports released on the high levels of lead present in Flint water alongside the results of further studies on the level of lead poisoning of Flint water supplied the residents (Zahran, McElmurry, & Sadler, 2017).

Alleviation strategies

Per Larry, Sustainable Performance Solutions LLC

Explanation of how the advisories of the professional body helped in purifying water.

Clean Water Act

Explanation of how upholding the Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, has effectively tackled lead poisoning.

Point of Use

Explanation of how upholding Point of Use devices can effectively prevent lead poisoning.

Predictive Models

Finally, exploring the use of predictive models helped tame water lead poisoning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there shall be a summarizing of research findings on the Flint Water lead poisoning and alleviation strategies.

References

Masten, S. J., Davies, S. H., & Mcelmurry, S. P. (2016). Flint water crisis: what happened and why?. Journal‐American Water Works Association, 108(12), 22-34.

Pieper, K. J., Martin, R., Tang, M., Walters, L., Parks, J., Roy, S., ... & Edwards, M. A. (2018). Evaluating water lead levels during the Flint water crisis. Environmental science & technology, 52(15), 8124-8132.

Pieper, K. J., Tang, M., & Edwards, M. A. (2017). Flint water crisis caused by interrupted corrosion control: investigating “ground zero” home. Environmental Science & Technology, 51(4), 2007-2014.

Zahran, S., McElmurry, S. P., & Sadler, R. C. (2017). Four phases of the Flint water crisis: Evidence from blood lead levels in children. Environmental research, 157, 160-172.