Flint water crisis : NPR

10 years after Flint, the fight to replace lead pipes across the U.S. continues

The Flint River water starts flowing to Flint, Mich. on April 25, 2014. Without corrosion control, lead leeched from the pipes. Brett Carlsen/Getty Images hide caption

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Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

10 years after Flint, the fight to replace lead pipes across the U.S. continues

April 26, 2024 • Ten years ago, Flint, Mich. switched water sources to the Flint River. The lack of corrosion control in the pipes caused lead to leach into the water supply of tens of thousands of residents. Pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha recognized a public health crisis in the making and gathered data proving the negative health impact on Flint's young children. In doing so, she and community organizers in Flint sparked a national conversation about lead in the U.S. water system that persists today.

10 years after Flint, the fight to replace lead pipes across the U.S. continues

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Biden administration proposes strictest lead pipe rules in more than three decades

Lead water pipes pulled from underneath the street in Newark, N.J., in 2021. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption

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Seth Wenig/AP

Biden administration proposes strictest lead pipe rules in more than three decades

November 30, 2023 • Most cities would have to replace lead water pipes within 10 years under new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency aimed to prevent like the ones in Flint, Mich. and Washington, D.C.

A mistrial is declared over engineers' role in the Flint water crisis

The Flint water plant tower is seen on Jan. 6, 2022, in Flint, Mich. A judge declared a mistrial Thursday after jurors said they couldn't reach a verdict in a dispute over whether two engineering firms should bear some responsibility for Flint's lead-contaminated water. Carlos Osorio/AP hide caption

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Carlos Osorio/AP

National

A mistrial is declared over engineers' role in the Flint water crisis

August 11, 2022 • A judge declared a mistrial after jurors said they couldn't reach a verdict in a dispute over whether two engineering firms should bear some responsibility for Flint's lead-contaminated water.

'Time bomb' lead pipes will be removed. But first water utilities have to find them

An image provided by the Environmental Protection Agency shows examples of a lead pipe, left, a corroded steel pipe, center, and a lead pipe treated with protective orthophosphate. The EPA is only now requiring water systems to take stock of their lead pipes, decades after new ones were banned. Environmental Protection Agency hide caption

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Environmental Protection Agency

Shots - Health News

'Time bomb' lead pipes will be removed. But first water utilities have to find them

Public Radio KMST Service

July 20, 2022 • Health experts warn problems with these "underground poisonous straws" can strike suddenly, and states are getting cash to replace them. But no one knows how many lines exist or where they are.

Ex-Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder And 8 Others Criminally Charged In Flint Water Crisis

In this image taken from video, former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, left, with his lawyer, Brian Lennon, leave Genesee County Court in Flint, Mich., after a initial court appearance via Zoom on two misdemeanor counts of willful neglect of duty in connection to the Flint water crisis. Corey Williams/AP hide caption

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Corey Williams/AP

National

Ex-Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder And 8 Others Criminally Charged In Flint Water Crisis

January 14, 2021 • Together the group faces 42 counts related to the drinking water catastrophe roughly seven years ago. The crimes range from perjury to misconduct in office to involuntary manslaughter.

Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Charged In Flint Water Crisis

Now Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, (R-MI), listens to Congressional members remarks during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing, about the Flint, Mich. water crisis in 2016. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Wilson/Getty Images

National

Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Charged In Flint Water Crisis

January 13, 2021 • At least a dozen people died and more than 80 people fell ill after untreated water from the Flint River caused lead to leach from old pipes, poisoning the water system city residents relied on.

Michigan Agrees To Pay $600 Million To Flint Residents Over Water Debacle

A task force concluded in 2016 that Michigan's environmental agency bore primary responsibility for the water crisis in Flint. The state is now agreeing to pay $600 million to resolve lawsuits over the crisis. Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Health

Michigan Agrees To Pay $600 Million To Flint Residents Over Water Debacle

August 20, 2020 • A summary of the preliminary settlement shows that nearly 80% of the money would go to resolve claims filed on behalf of minors and children.

Supreme Court Allows Flint Water Lawsuits To Move Forward, Officials Not 'Immune'

Drinking fountains are marked "Do Not Drink Until Further Notice" at Flint Northwestern High School in Flint, Mich., in May 2016. After 18 months of insisting that water drawn from the Flint River was safe to drink, officials admitted it was not. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

Law

Supreme Court Allows Flint Water Lawsuits To Move Forward, Officials Not 'Immune'

January 21, 2020 • In refusing to take up two cases involving the 2014 water crisis, the higher court has upheld earlier rulings saying neither city nor state officials are protected from being sued.