Lecture Notes: Flint Water Crisis Analysis

Background

• Emergency Manager Appointment: In 2014, Flint, Michigan was under an Emergency Manager to address financial crises.
• Water Source Switch:
  • Originally sourced from Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (Lake Huron).
  • Decision in 2013 to switch to Karegnondi Water Authority for future water supply.
  • Temporary switch to Flint River water during pipeline construction.

Consequences of the Water Source Switch

• Infrastructure Damage & Health Crisis:
  • Damaged infrastructure.
  • Deadly bacterial outbreaks, killing at least 12.
  • Exposure of thousands to high lead levels.

Scientific Analysis

• Historical Use of Lead Pipes:

  • Usage dates back to Romans; popularity in late 1800s due to flexibility and durability.
  • Public health risks acknowledged by 1920s; gradually shifted to other materials.
  • Lead pipes remain in many U.S. cities, including Flint.

• Lead and Copper Rule:

  • Enacted in 1991 by the EPA to manage lead pipe risks.
  • Requires regular monitoring and intervention where necessary.

Corrosion and Chemical Reactions

• Role of Anti-Corrosion Chemicals:

  • Orthophosphate forms a protective layer inside pipes to prevent corrosion.
  • Flint did not use these chemicals during the switch, causing corrosion.

• Chloride and Corrosion:

  • Flint River water had high chloride levels, exacerbating corrosion.
  • Sodium chloride from road de-icers contributed to chloride content.

• Bacterial Contamination:

  • Chlorine used as disinfectant; reacted with metals, reducing effectiveness.
  • Led to bacterial outbreaks, including Legionnaires’ disease.

Lead Contamination

• Leaching Process:

  • Electron-stealing oxidants reacted with lead, causing leaching into water.
  • Lead contamination led to severe health risks, especially in children.

• Testing and Safety Protocols:

  • Protocols can be manipulated (e.g., pre-flushing) to underrepresent contamination levels.
  • Flint's water samples showed significantly high lead levels.

Health and Safety Implications

• Health Hazards of Lead:

  • Interferes with enzymes, damages cells, impacts nervous system.

• Impact of Infrastructure:

  • Overbuilt water system for declining population caused stagnation, exacerbating chemical reactions.

Current Status and Lessons

• Switch Back to Detroit Water:

  • Flint reverted to Detroit water in October 2015.
  • Efforts to rebuild protective layers in pipes ongoing.

• Public Trust and Financial Repercussions:

  • Residents have lost trust in government assurances about water safety.
  • Costly initiative to replace all lead pipes underway.

Conclusion

• The oversight and mismanagement of water science led to severe consequences.
• Financial savings anticipated from the switch resulted in far greater costs and health impacts.

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