The Timeline of the Flint Water Crisis

THE FLINT, MICHIGAN WATER CRISIS A Chronology of Events Switching water sources in Flint resulted in toxic levels of lead and other contaminants, causing a public health crisis. Flint 2013 APRIL 16 Lake Huron Flint joins a new water authority to save money that will get water from Lake Huron rather from its existing water source in Detroit. The project will take 3 years. Flint DETROIT 2014 FLINT WATER WATER DETROIT APRIL 25 City begins using water from the Flint River until the pipeline from Lake Huron can be completed. MAY Flint residents complain about the new water. AUG. 15 A boil advisory is issued in parts of the city after water tests positive for E. coli bacteria. OCT. 13 - The Flint General Motors plant refuses to use the river water because it is ११ rusting car parts. The city arranges for automaker to tap into a different water line, but not for residents. BOIL WATER 2015 Н JAN. 4 х The city announces that its water contains a high level of trihalomethanes, a disinfectant byproduct in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Residents told not to worry. FEB. 18 A consultant hired by the City of Flint tells the public that the water is safe to drink despite the presence of FEB. 26 A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency manager informs Michigan officials that contaminants from pipes, including lead, are leaching into the water system. SEPA sediment and discoloration. APRIL 2 Flint tells residents that it may have violated the Safe Water Drinking Act because it added too OCT. 1 State officials announce that data shows more children have lead in their blood many disinfectants. since the water switch. OCT. 2 . Gov. Snyder announces the state will buy water filters and lead in schools. He recommends that Flint go back to using water from Detroit. OCT. 16 Flint switches back to Detroit water. NOV 16 . Class action lawsuit filed against City of Flint and State of Michigan. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT 2016 LEAD EXPOSURE IN CHILDREN CAUSES IRREVERSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS JAN. 5 Gov. Snyder declares a state of emergency in Flint. The Department of Justice opens an investigation. JAN 7 Michigan's chief medical executive advises Flint residents to use only bottled or filtered water. JAN. 12 Gov. Snyder calls out to the National Guard to JAN. 13 The water crisis expands to include Legionnaires' disease based upon a spike in number of reported cases. distribute bottled water and filters in Flint. JAN. 16 President Obama signs an emergency declaration and orders federal aid for Flint. JAN 25 EPA announces an investigation into the handling of the crisis. JAN. 25 State announces that National Guard and Red Cross teams JAN. 27 A federal court lawsuit is filed by organizations and citizens, including the ACLU, demanding that Flint be provided with clean drinking water. have delivered bottled water twice to every house in Flint. MAR. 6 Democratic presidential debate in Flint. Candidates discuss water crisis. MAR. 15 The U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform MAR. 17 Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder testifies before a congressional committee investigating the Flint water crisis. Committee holds a hearing regarding the crisis. OVERSIGHT I816 Original URL: www.buckfirelaw.com/library/flint-water-crisis-timeline.cfm Sources: www.michigan.gov/flintwater www.epo.gov/flint www.oclumich.org/flint-water-crisis Design: www.infovisual.org BY ND Courtesy of: Ay in G+a BUCKFIRE & BUCKFIRE, P.C. www.buck firelaw.com ATTORNEYS AT LAW FLUNKED