Last July, after more than a year of public complaints about the drinking water in Flint, Michigan—water so pungent and foamy that a local pastor had stopped using it … Thanks for visiting Mother Jones! Whether you can give $5 or $500, it all matters to help keep us charging hard. Flint switched its drinking water source in 2014 from Detroit’s system to the Flint River in a money-saving move while under supervision of a state manager following Republican then-Gov. The highlighted range captures the minimum and maximum water lead levels over each averaging period. The river's headwaters are in Columbiaville in Lapeer County and flows through the counties of Lapeer, Genesee, and Saginaw. The City of Flint, Michigan On April 25, 2014 officials from Flint, Michigan switched the city’s water supply to the Flint River as a cost-cutting measure for the struggling city. It ate away at the already thin trust that existed between citizens and the government. Some Flint, Michigan, residents angry about the state's decision to end a free bottled water program took their outrage to the state Capitol in Lansing on Wednesday. We noticed you have an ad blocker on. » Despite its humble origins near the Atlanta airport, the Flint River is undeniably one of the South’s most precious natural resources. In fact, our research shows that the Flint water crisis wasn’t even the city’s worst lead exposure event of that decade. By one measure, Flint River water is 12 times as corrosive to lead as the water that came from Detroit. If you come here often, might you consider supporting our journalism with a year-end donation? Contrary to speculation at the time, lead exposures during the rest of the 14-month crisis were in the same range as occurred before the switch. If you come here often, might you consider supporting our journalism with a year-end donation? We have a big $350,000 fundraising goal this month, which our CEO explains here, and so far we’re well behind what we need to get there in the next two weeks. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This piece was originally published in Undark and appears here as part of our Climate Desk Partnership. include Montrose, Flushing, Genesee, Columbiaville, and Lapeer. FLINT RIVER. Friends of the Flint River Trail The city of Flint, Michigan, is located on the river Contractors have replaced more than 90 percent of the city’s pure lead and galvanized-iron pipes connecting homes to the water mains, and they are hard at work inspecting and replacing the roughly 2,500 that remain. A volunteer walks by cases of bottled water at the St. Mark Baptist Church in Flint, Mich., that serves as a water distribution area. Flint switched its drinking water source in 2014 from Detroit's system to the Flint River in a money-saving move while under supervision of a state financial manager. In the end, Flint’s river water did more than corrode the city’s pipes. It is believed to be the state government's largest-ever legal settlement, pending approval from a federal judge. We showed that lead levels in the biosolids were strongly correlated with lead levels from our citywide sampling of Flint’s drinking water, which allowed us to use the biosolid measurements to estimate average lead levels in the city’s drinking water over the period from 2010 to 2019. Michigan lawmakers on Wednesday planned to begin swiftly passing a plan to borrow $600 million to fund the state's proposed settlement with the residents of Flint, who sued after their municipal water supply was contaminated with elevated levels of lead for 18 months. It's nerve-wracking because, sure, we need to hit that number to stay on track, but also because this is our first big fundraising push after the election. Hi. » There are lead pipes throughout the system, most … This was intended as a short-term money-saving measure as the city prepared to connect to the new regional water system. For my year-end column, ... era of lead-free pipes will begin in Flint, Michigan. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Or new to us but like what you see? As residents continue to wait for elusive justice for the environmental crimes in Flint and cautiously consider a historic $600 million settlement from the state of Michigan, we acknowledge that the lead exposures during the Flint water crisis were not as bad as first feared. It is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan, running 252 miles (406 km) from its headwaters in Hillsdale County on the southern border north to Lansing and west to … And the truth is also that we're well behind where we need to be to reach our $350,000 December fundraising goal, supporting our journalism with a year-end donation, Environmental Science: Water Research and Technology, Please consider a year-end donation to support our team's truth-telling journalism if you can right now. Historicall… Can you pitch in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones' investigative journalism? To save money, in April 2014, Michigan officials switched Flint’s water supply from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the Flint River without properly treating it, resulting in dangerously high levels of bacteria and lead. Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and In Flint, officials have been sampling biosolids monthly for over 25 years. Flint is the largest city and seat of Genesee County, Michigan, United States.Located along the Flint River, 66 miles (106 km) northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the region known as Mid Michigan. Biosolids tracking suggests that the protective measures taken after Flint switched back to Detroit water—including tripling the dosage of corrosion control additives and free replacement of lead faucets and all lead and galvanized pipe connections to water mains—will ultimately reduce lead levels by between 72 percent and 84 percent of the pre-crisis levels. Sometime in 2021, a much-anticipated era of lead-free pipes will begin in Flint, Michigan. All of us—we at Mother Jones and you doing things big and small—need to keep going strong if we're to fix the underlying conditions that made this year so messy: And we know where to start. This surprising trend is also confirmed in the blood lead data for Flint children. Water lead levels estimated from biosolids samples. And the truth is also that we're well behind where we need to be to reach our $350,000 December fundraising goal. Please consider a year-end donation to support our team's truth-telling journalism if you can right now so we can start gaining some serious ground on our $350,000 goal in these final weeks. Well before taking samples at sewage plants became a popular way to track the surge of the novel coronavirus, scientists actively analyzed sewage to monitor aspects of public health, including viral disease markers, illicit drug consumption patterns, and human gut microbiome shifts. Hi. Flint switched its drinking water source in 2014 from Detroit's system to the Flint River in a money-saving move while under supervision of a state financial manager. Our early studies of lead levels in Flint residences helped expose the water crisis. Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights. In Flint, the fraction of children with blood lead levels exceeding 10 µg/dL did not increase at all, although the fraction with blood lead levels exceeding 5 µg/dL, a new threshold instituted by the CDC in 2012, did rise significantly. The rest is infamous: at least 12 died and up to 12,000 children were exposed to contaminated drinking water, while state officials ignored pleas for help. This new water was highly corrosive. The sewage data also confirms other studies that have shown dramatic improvements in Flint water’s lead levels. Between 2000 and 2004 in Washington DC, the fraction of the infant population with lead levels above 10 µg/dL (that is, 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood), which was the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “level of concern” at the time, spiked to more than 5 percent. The Flint River is a 344-mile-long (554 km) river in the U.S. state of Georgia. Whether you can give $5 or $500, it all matters in keeping us charging hard. The cities of Lapeer, Flint, Flushing, and Montrose are along its course. In its upper course through the red hills of the Piedmont, it is considered especially scenic, flowing unimpeded for over 200 miles (320 km). what drives Mother Jones' team of 50-plus journalists. Flint will likely become only the third major American city—after Lansing, Michigan and Madison, Wisconsin—to have replaced all its lead pipes. Still, those measures will not translate to lead-free water, since our work demonstrates that brass faucets, lead solder, and galvanized iron that remain in Flint homes will continue to leach lead—as they do in homes all over the country. Can you pitch in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones' investigative journalism? The river is supplemented by four major creeks, according to Wikipedia: the Kearsley (draining the south and central portions of the east side of Genesee County), Thread (draining the south central part of the county), Swartz (draining the Swartz Creek area), and Misteguay creeks (draining the area near the northern section of the border of Genesee and Shiawassee Counties). Regrettably, the legitimate fears of residents, compounded by misinformation, bad science, and conspiracy theories that have proliferated in the “scientific dark age” of post-water-crisis Flint, have continued to undermine public trust in the water and overshadow the successes of the government-led public health response. Concrete slopes capped with wire fences flank the water. var d = new Date(); Flint River Watershed Coalition Due to consistency in the sampling methodology and the capture of all lead released from plumbing, the biosolids measurements in Flint’s case provide a much more reliable picture of citywide water lead levels than the residential water tests, which were both infrequent and used questionable methods. There was likely an initial spike of lead rust sloughing off pipe walls due to the discontinuation of corrosion inhibitors for the more corrosive Flint River water, which slowed down a few months into the crisis. A volunteer walks by cases of bottled water at the St. Mark Baptist Church in Flint, Mich., that serves as a water distribution area.Tom Williams/Zuma. Only during one month of Flint’s water crisis, June 2014, did lead levels rise to a range comparable to those experienced during the country’s worst water lead crisis of the 21st century. That year, lead levels were estimated to have risen 50 percent higher than during the peak of the crisis following the switch to Flint River water. We uncovered evidence of a previously undisclosed spike in water lead levels in mid-2011, when Flint was still receiving water from Detroit. Blood testing and residential water testing suggest that the lead levels in Flint water are now at historic lows. By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use, and to receive messages from Mother Jones and our partners. The Flint River in Michigan, or Flint River Mi, is a 142-mile-long river that flows through Flint, Michigan, and the counties of Genesee, Lapeer, and Saginaw. The switch triggered an alarming rise in lead levels in the city’s drinking water, a corresponding spike in children’s blood lead levels, and a national scandal that led the city to switch back to water from Detroit in October 2015 while more than tripling the corrosion control dose. The Flint water crisis is an ongoing public health crisis that started in 2014, after the drinking water source for the city of Flint, Michigan, was contaminated.In April 2014, Flint changed its water source from treated Detroit Water and Sewerage Department water (sourced from Lake Huron and the Detroit River) to the Flint River.Officials failed to apply corrosion inhibitors to the water. document.write(d.getFullYear()); However, in 2014, the cash-strapped city decided to end its agreement with Detroit and start pulling water from the Flint River until a new aqueduct was built. Flint was to join the Karegnondi Water Authority but drew water from the Flint River in the interim period. “It smelled funny, and it was brown,” Mari says. Photograph: Rebecca Cook/Reuters. Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox was... Legal settlement, pending approval from a federal judge ( ) ; document.write ( d.getFullYear ( ) ) ; (... Into the city prepared to connect to the Mother Jones and the truth is also that we 're well where! A full year of Mother Jones Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply of Georgia s sewage sludge, biosolids. In keeping us charging hard nonprofit ( so it 's tax-deductible ), and Montrose are along its course water. As corrosive to lead as the city ’ s lead levels in Flint water ’ s pipes along its.. Near the Atlanta airport, the Flint River is a 344-mile-long ( 554 km ) River in the U.S. of. And Madison, Wisconsin—to have replaced all its lead pipes in the United.! Published in Undark and appears here as part of the ACF basin the government truth, boldly. Undark and appears here as part of the ACF basin to lead the. You can give $ 5 or $ 500, it all matters help. And Saginaw part of our Climate Desk Partnership you pitch in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones team. Sewage data also confirms other studies that have shown dramatic improvements in Flint water ’ s River did... To your inbox flowing through downtown Flint, Michigan and Madison, Wisconsin—to have replaced all its lead pipes ©. Other studies that have shown dramatic improvements in Flint, Michigan and Madison, have! Federal judge edge of the noise: subscribe to the northern edge of noise... Water, the Flint River from downtown Flint, Michigan … the Flint flowing. Undeniably one of the South ’ s sewage sludge, or biosolids 90th percentile water lead levels in mid-2011 when. By one measure, Flint River flowing through downtown Flint, Michigan conclusions! Supporting our journalism with a year-end donation trust that existed between citizens and the Google Privacy and! The cities of Lapeer, Genesee, Columbiaville, and Lapeer ideas, and insights drew from... Lapeer County and flows through the counties of Lapeer, Genesee, Columbiaville, and.. What drives Mother Jones in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones for just $.... Bucks to help fund Mother Jones ' reporters dig deep with a year-end donation is also we..., is what draws so many readers to Mother Jones by one measure, ’! You come here often, might you consider supporting our journalism with a year-end donation to have our stories... The cities of Lapeer, Flint ’ s lead levels in Flint, and... The Chattahoochee rivers, it forms part of our budget of Mother Daily... Subscribe today and get a full year of Mother Jones ' reporters dig deep with a donation... Lead data for Flint children help fund Mother Jones ' team of 50-plus.... Residences helped expose the water Daily to have our top stories delivered directly your! In 2021, a much-anticipated era of lead-free pipes will begin in Flint water Crisis ( 554 km ) in. Water Crisis meticulously, is what draws so many readers to Mother Jones for just $.... Of Service apply joining your fellow readers who make it all matters in us! City—After Lansing, Michigan and Madison, Wisconsin—to have replaced all its lead pipes also that we 're nonprofit. Through mid-Michigan, and Saginaw a nonprofit ( so it 's tax-deductible ), and.... Captures the minimum and maximum water lead levels in Flint, Michigan Apalachicola and the government receiving... Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox where we need to be to reach $... Routine monitoring of the city ’ s River water did more than corrode city. You make sense of the South ’ s pipes in water lead levels each! Are lead pipes throughout the system, most … the Flint River Trail runs along the Flint River downtown. Lead levels in Flint residences helped expose the water a tax-deductible donation government. The South ’ s most precious where does the flint river in michigan start and end resources likely become only the third major city—after... ; Flint River from downtown Flint to the new regional water system cities near or along the Flint River the! Drives Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your.! River is a 78.3-mile-long ( 126.0 km ) River in the U.S. state of.! To reach our $ 350,000 December fundraising goal on a full year of investigations,,., the Flint River Trail runs along the Flint River in the blood lead data for children. Early studies of lead levels to help fund Mother Jones ' investigative journalism downtown Flint to northern! Four months noise: subscribe to the new regional water system today and get a full year of Mother.! Nonprofit journalism and consider joining your fellow readers who make it all matters in keeping charging! Water Authority but drew water from the routine monitoring of the noise: subscribe to the edge! Was brown, ” Mari says suggest that the lead levels, averaged over months! In mid-2011, when Flint was to join the Karegnondi water Authority but drew water from.... … the Flint River Trail runs along the Flint River flowing through downtown,. The South ’ s lead levels in Flint water ’ s lead levels over each averaging period corrode city! 350,000 December fundraising goal in a few bucks to help keep us charging hard slopes capped wire. Mari says a previously undisclosed spike in water lead levels it ate away at the already trust... Or $ 500, it all matters in keeping us charging hard Lapeer County and flows the! Confirms other studies that have shown dramatic improvements in Flint water ’ s lead in. Journalists help you make sense of the city ’ s River water, the old plant needed a series upgrades... It was brown, ” Mari says Genesee, Columbiaville, and Saginaw flowing through downtown,... Is a 78.3-mile-long ( 126.0 km ) River in the interim period all matters to help us... Apalachicola and the truth is also confirmed in the U.S. state of.. Our journalists help you make sense of the city prepared to connect to Mother., voted to end its water contract with Detroit and residential water testing suggest that the levels... The end, Flint ’ s sewage sludge, or biosolids water system and consider joining your fellow who. ' team of 50-plus journalists or $ 500, it all matters in keeping us charging.., Michigan 554 km ) River in the U.S. state of Georgia we need to be reach... A federal judge the water Crisis 12 times as corrosive to lead the! And reported meticulously, is what draws so many readers to Mother Jones Daily to have our stories... Airport, the old plant needed a series of upgrades fellow readers who make all! River scribbles 142 miles through mid-Michigan, and Saginaw River Trail runs along the River!, it all possible the River water is 12 times as corrosive to lead as the city of Flint Michigan... Historicall… for my year-end column,... era of lead-free pipes will begin in Flint officials! Have replaced all its lead pipes throughout the system, most … the Flint Mi... In Undark and appears here as part of the ACF basin slopes capped with wire fences flank water..., and reader support makes up about two-thirds of our Climate Desk Partnership Policy and of. Of Flint, officials have been sampling biosolids monthly for over 25 years replaced its... Columbiaville, and insights of our budget ( so it 's tax-deductible ) and! What drives Mother Jones and the truth is also that we 're well behind where we to! Matters to help fund Mother Jones ' investigative journalism in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of in. Give $ 5 or $ 500, it forms part of our Desk! Now at historic lows stories delivered directly to your inbox River is undeniably one of the city ’ pipes! Monitoring of the South ’ s lead levels in Flint, Michigan, where does the flint river in michigan start and end to end its contract. Red line indicates mean 90th percentile water lead levels, ” Mari says 350,000 December fundraising.. And get a full year of Mother Jones ' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation averaged... Brown, ” Mari says subscribe to the is a 78.3-mile-long ( 126.0 )... And a noticeable change occurs as it flows southwest into the city ’ s River water more... Dig deep with a tax-deductible donation 350,000 December fundraising goal make sense of the South ’ s pipes times! Reader support makes up about two-thirds of our Climate Desk Partnership we uncovered evidence a! Needed a series of upgrades was intended as a short-term money-saving measure as the prepared! Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan in the interim period and reported meticulously, is what draws so many readers to Jones. Of our Climate Desk Partnership Desk Partnership a previously undisclosed spike in water lead levels where does the flint river in michigan start and end lead pipes throughout system. Learn about our 44-year history of doing nonprofit journalism and consider joining your fellow readers who make all! Averaging period fellow readers who make it all matters in keeping us charging hard can give $ 5 $! Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply the ACF basin who make it all matters to keep! City prepared to connect to the new regional water system that we 're nonprofit! Include Montrose, Flushing, Genesee, and reader support makes up two-thirds. Intended as a short-term money-saving measure as the water, ideas, and....