We’ve been hearing about this problem in Flint for a long time. (Actually, most of you really began hearing about this over the past few days or so.  The media didn’t consider it ‘sexy’ enough to hype, when they had all those political blowhards to cover.) However, most of what we hear and read about the situation is spin. It’s probably about time for some brutal observations.

First, the politics.  The state of Michigan has had a slew of cities bite the dust- some for incompetence, some for criminal activity, some for a combination of both.  And, the state government (one of the very, very few that has this program) decided they had the right to appoint receivers (a ‘Podesta’) that controlled everything about those cities- regardless of the wishes of the citizenry. Such is the fate for the bankrupt- or nearly bankrupt- cities of the state.

So, before I rant, let me remind many of you (or is that educate those of you who neither cared about the situation or were not alive back then) that as New York City went belly up in 1975, the State of New York provided funds and appointed their own podesta- Felix Rohatyn- to manage the city’s finances.  (Let us also remember that Gerald Ford basically told NY City to drop dead.  Kind of like how NY City told Senator (sic) Ted Cruz to do the same recently.  Oh, and I guess I should remind you that NY City could claim it didn’t file for bankruptcy officially.  A little differently than Donald Trump’s companies not filing for bankruptcy, though.)

But, the podestas appointed in Michigan have full control of the cities in their charge.  The elected officials retain all the power of the Wizard of Oz.  There’s someone else behind the curtain pulling all the levers.  Oh, and every one of the cities that have had these appointees have been majority Black.  Yes.  I am playing the race card.   Because race plays a big part in this current Flint disaster.

Given that introduction, let us consider a few facts.

1. Flint has copious quantities of lead pipes in its water distribution system.
2. Flint homes are often also replete with lead pipes.
3. Flint obtained its potable water for decades from Detroit. That means the water has to be pumped a considerable distance, and at considerable expense to supply the needs of the municipality.
4. Flint was a middle class kind of city until GM began dismantling it operations.
5. Flint’s population has dropped from nearly 250K to about 100K. And, the population is mostly Black and poor now.  (40% of the citizens are below the poverty line.)

[Personal Disclosure:  I lived in Michigan for a while.  I was also involved in the development of a Genesee/Lapeer County community- including homes, and utilities (electricity, water, waste water, etc).  The concept was only partly finished because of the GM plant closures.]

When the city went bust in 2013, the Flint City Council voted 7-1 to terminate its relationship with Detroit and to link up with the Genesee County water system; it’s source was the nearby Lake Huron.  Michigan State Treasurer Andy Dillon approved this move and provided $ 81 million of state funds to link up to the Lake.  NO ONE voted to start using the Flint River as a source of potable water. NO ONE discussed using Flint River as the (temporary or permanent) source for drinking water.

One of the first actions the podesta (Ed Kurtz) chose was to start withdrawing water from the Flint River.  Sure, he commissioned a study.  And, the study said this source of water would present “challenges”.  But, the next manager- Darnell Early- proceeded with the plan anyway in April 2014.  Basically- damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead. (This action had the “blessing” of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality [sic].)

The fact that the Flint River was the repository for decades-worth of industrial waste was dismissed as non-germane.   The fact that the Flint River had a different pH (between 6.2 and 6.4, slightly acidic) than the Detroit sources or was laden with chlorides was dismissed as non-germane. The fact that this was supposed to be temporary until a system to withdraw water from Lake Huron could be built was all that mattered.  (Please note it’s now 18+ months after the fateful switch and the promised connection to Lake Huron water is still not functional.)

Now, it’s time for a little chemistry.  Lead was considered an inert type substance a long time ago (back when my father took chemistry as a graduate student). And, if you were to use water with a higher pH, it definitely will be less prone to become soluble in the water it carries.  But, when the pH shifts downward (tends acidic) and the chloride level is high, even an adolescent who only took high school chemistry would recognize that lead will become part and parcel of the water supply.  (The accompanying table  tells the story more fully.) 

As if that weren’t enough, it seems that the podesta and his crew could not get a handle on water disinfection.  Because the trihalomethane levels in the drinking water were high enough to merit notifying the residents that they were at risk from that- long before anyone admitted to poisoning the children of Flint with lead.

No one- not one darned soul- implemented a corrosion-control plan to treat the Flint River water.  Oh, I am sure you know that this is a federally mandated action that the State of Michigan must effect.  But, no state employee checked to see if the action complied with the federal Lead and Copper Rule.  Even when the citizenry complained about the water’s color, smell, and taste.  (See.  I didn’t exaggerate when I said, “damn the torpedoes…”)

A year later (June 2015), the EPA [US Environmental Protection Agency] knew that the corrosion control rules were being violated, but felt it was the state’s responsibility.   So, it notified the state of Michigan – but no one else!  (You also know that the governor, Rick Snyder, believes that the EPA has no right to dictate how states such as his must act.)

Now?   We have a generation of children who will have impaired mental capabilities.  We have a city that must replace its water distribution system (the pipes that convey the water around town).  We have citizens who must connect up – with new piping- to that system (which is extremely expensive- and the responsibility of the homeowner, not the city or state).  We have citizens who have to replace the water pipes that provide water within their houses.   Oh.  And, the city is bankrupt and the citizens are poor. And, what did Rick Snyder (who poo-poohed these facts for months) proffer to solve this $1+ billion problem?

First, he allocated $9.35 million to go back and purchase Detroit water, with a request for $28 million more to “fix” the problem. Yup, he switched the “B” needs for an “M” outlay. Claiming a lack of state funds to do more.

I guess that $575 million budget surplus, that $600 million ‘rainy day’ fund that Michigan has is only for the rich, for the White folks. And, Heaven forbid a Republican Governor suggest a tax increase to pay for a crime he committed against the state citizenry.

And, you wonder why folks don’t trust government?  Or, why there’s a “Black Lives Matter” citizen action campaign?