Luke Skywalker
Super Moderator
{vb:raw ozzmodz_postquote}:
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, right, drinks filtered Flint tap water with Flint resident Cheryl Hill while listening to her concerns with the city's ongoing water crisis at her home Monday, April 18.(Photo: Jake May, AP)
FLINT, Mich. — Gov. Rick Snyder said he visited a Flint home on Monday and drank filtered water out of the family's kitchen tap, adding that he plans to continue drinking filtered Flint tap water for the next 30 days to show it is safe.
Snyder told reporters in Flint that he filled three, gallon jugs with the water. "I'm going to start drinking that tonight and do it for the next 30 days," Snyder said during a visit to a water distribution station at Greater Holy Temple Church in Flint.
USA TODAY
Flint water crisis: Residents asked to flush out lead by running taps
Asked if his family also would be drinking the water, Snyder said his wife "Sue is on board with this." His three children no longer live at home.
Snyder's actions Monday followed developments Friday, when the governor encouraged Flint residents to start using more filtered tap water instead of bottled water and was told by a state official that Flint residents wanted him to start drinking the tap water first.
“I completely understand why some Flint residents are hesitant to drink the water and I am hopeful I can alleviate some of the skepticism and mistrust by putting words to action,” Snyder said. “Flint residents made it clear that they would like to see me personally drink the water, so today I am fulfilling that request. And I will continue drinking Flint water at work and at home for at least 30 days.”
Snyder spokesman Ari Adler said two media outlets were invited to the home to watch Snyder drink the water.<span style="color: Red;">*</span> Snyder's office later<span style="color: Red;">*</span>released<span style="color: Red;">*</span>photos of him drinking the tap water.
[h=4]Posted![/h]A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.
The governor said he won't always be able to drink the Flint tap water when he is travelling, but he plans to drink it when he is at his downtown Ann Arbor home and when he is at work in his office in the Romney Building in Lansing. He said he will get more filtered Flint tap water when the initial three gallons runs out.
But Snyder's comments drew immediate criticism from some Flint residents<span style="color: Red;">*</span>as a public relations exercise.
"His whole family has to drink it," said Elizabeth Taylor, 73, a Flint retiree who said she doesn't feel the filtered water is safe to drink.
"They have to cook with it and bathe with it."
Taylor also questioned why Snyder didn't give notice he was coming to Flint and expressed skepticism that Snyder will drink the Flint water for the next 30 days.
"He thinks we just trust him because he says so?"
USA TODAY
Mich. governor says staff misled him about Flint water
Flint's water became contaminated with lead in April 2014 when the city, while under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager, switched its drinking water source from Lake Huron water treated by the Detroit water system to Flint River water treated at the Flint Water Treatment Plant. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality officials have acknowledged a disastrous mistake when they failed to require the city to add corrosion-control chemicals as part of the treatment process.
The corrosive water caused lead to leach from pipes, joints and fixtures. Although Flint reconnected to Detroit water in October, after state officials acknowledged the lead-poisoning problem after months of denials, the risk remains because of damage to the water infrastructure system.
Officials also are exploring possible links between the river water and outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease tied to 12<span style="color: Red;">*</span>area deaths.
The state and city are now treating the pipes with higher levels of phosphates to build up a protective coating that will prevent lead from leaching. Having more water flowing in the system would help that process, and that's one reason Snyder and other state officials want Flint residents to start using their taps again.
Officials says the more Flint residents run water through their pipes, the quicker the distribution system will heal. That's one of the reasons Snyder said he encouraged residents Friday to start using more filtered water, instead of bottled water.
Snyder's comments, however, may have spurred fears that the free distribution of bottled water will soon be cut off.
William Harris, a team support leader at the water distribution station Snyder visited Monday, said some residents are stockpiling so much water that the foundations of their homes are shifting. He said residents are able take as much free bottled water as they want when they visit water distribution stations in Flint. There are no plans to stop distributing the water and no need to stockpile, Harris said.
Snyder agreed.
"We have no plans to end the water distribution system," he said. "It's basically indefinite at this point. We're doing this based on science."
Follow<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Paul Egan on Twitter: @paulegan4
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISCounty Wants Back Money Spent on Flint Crisis | 02:07Genesee County is asking the state of Michigan to give it more than $1 million as reimbursement for money the county spent in response to the Flint water crisis.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(March 21) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISTask Force: State Accountable for Flint Crisis | 02:19An investigatory task force concluded Wednesday that the state of Michigan is fundamentally accountable for Flint's lead-contaminated water crisis. (March 23) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISSparks fly during Flint water crisis hearing | 02:28The House Oversight Committee examined Gov. Rick Snyder and others involved in the Flint water crisis about how such a major health concern was overlooked. VPC
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISMich. Gov.: Flint Crisis 'Weighs on My Mind' | 01:32The Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality repeatedly gave assurances that water from the Flint River was safe, when it actually had dangerous levels of lead, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder told House lawmakers Thursday. (March 17) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISLawmaker: Snyder Responsible for Flint Crisis | 01:54Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is responsible for lead contamination in Flint, Michigan's water supply, and would likely face criminal charges if he were running a business, a Democratic lawmaker said Thursday. (March 17) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISFormer officials defend actions in Flint water crisis | 01:32The former EPA official who resigned as the Flint, Michigan water crisis worsened, and Flint's former emergency manager, defended themselves on Capitol Hill as House lawmakers took a closer look at the crisis. (March 15) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISIowa State star can’t ignore tragedy in Flint | 00:57Point guard Monte Morris steps on the court with his hometown on his mind. USA TODAY Sports
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISProtests over Flint water crisis ahead of Michigan primary | 01:09Democratic White House hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders on Sunday kicked off a debate in Flint, Michigan -— where lead-tainted water poisoned thousands of children —- with a joint call for the Republican governor to resign. Newslook
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISEPA Chief: Flint Water Data Coming in April | 01:44U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy says the federal agency is collecting data on the levels of lead in Flint's water system and expects to be able to share those results in April. (March 1) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISMichigan Governor OKs $30M For Flint Water Bills | 01:49Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder authorized spending $30 million to help pay Flint residents' water bills amid city's crisis with lead-tainted water. Snyder signed legislation, saying people shouldn't have to pay for water they can't drink. (Feb. 26) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISExperts Say Flint Has More Than 8,000 Lead Pipes | 01:16A research team led by a University of Michigan-Flint professor estimates Flint, Michigan, has more than 8,000 lead service lines. Dr. Marty Kaufman announced the findings at a news conference at City Hall alongside Mayor Karen Weaver. (Feb. 22) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISSanders Addresses Water Crisis in Flint | 01:03Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders came to Flint, Michigan, to listen to residents speak about how the water crisis is affecting life in their city. (Feb. 25) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISFlint man has highest blood lead level in county for adults | 01:56Flint resident Aaron Stinson, 39, discusses getting news that he has the highest blood lead level in county for adults during Flint water crisis.
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISMich. Gov.: Crews Will Take Month to ID Flint Pipes | 01:36Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder says it will take an engineering firm a month to identify lead pipes connected to Flint residents' homes, but he wants to see a short timeline for some of the service lines to begin being replaced. (Feb. 17) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISMobile Pediatric Clinic Arrives to Aid Flint | 01:05A mobile pediatric clinic has come to Flint, Michigan to help the city deal with its lead-tainted water crisis. The vehicle is part of the fleet belonging to the Children's Health Fund, a New York-based nonprofit. (Feb. 12) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISDonation to Boost Lead-Related Care in Flint | 01:17A health information organization is giving $250,000 to connect all health care providers serving residents affected by the crisis caused by lead in Flint, Michigan's drinking water. (Feb. 11) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISFormer Flint pipe worker explains daunting task | 01:16A longtime pipe worker in Flint, Michigan, says the city's plans to remove up to 15,000 lead pipes will be both time-intensive and costly. Jeff Steiss said he "didn't drink the water very much," and that the pipes were "ugly on the inside." (Feb. 10) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISFlint Mayor: Our Rights Have Been Taken Away | 01:19Testifying before Congress, the Mayor of Flint, Michigan said her city's democratic rights have been taken away since a governor-appointed emergency manager took over in response to the water crisis. (Feb. 10) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISLawsuits filed After Flint Water Contamination | 01:48While government officials scramble to rid Flint's tap water of lead, victims are suing Gov. Rick Snyder, the former mayor, and almost anyone else who may have had a role in supplying the troubled city with corrosive river water. (Feb. 8) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISPistons, Lions, Rasheed Wallace contribute to Gores' FlintNOW relief effort | 01:05Detroit Pistons players and coach Stan Van Gundy contributed $500,000 to relief efforts in Flint on Thursday, not to be outdone by former Piston Rasheed Wallace, who drove 11 hours to the industrial city in a truck filled with cases of drinking water Time_Sports
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISClinton: What Happened in Flint Is 'Immoral' | 01:35Despite trailing in polls in New Hampshire, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton stopped by a church in Flint, Michigan, to spotlight the water situation in the city. (Feb. 7) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISEPA: Flint Water Tests Show Filters are Crucial | 01:09Federal officials are continuing to urge Flint, Michigan, residents to use filters on their tap water. (Feb. 4) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISHouse Panel Issues Subpoenas in Flint Crisis | 01:40The chairman of a House panel pummeled two key figures in the Flint water crisis, including Flint's former emergency manager, saying subpoenas are being issued requiring both officials to appear before committee to give sworn testimony. (Feb. 3) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISMembers of Congress to Mich.: Fix Flint Crisis | 01:49Speaking after a congressional hearing into the Flint water crisis, members of Congress held a news conference pointing blame at the Michigan government and urging immediate action to fix the disaster - and fast. (Feb. 3) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISCongress Takes First Look at Flint Water Crisis | 01:13Michigan should have required Flint to treat its water for corrosion-causing elements after high lead levels were first detected, the state's top environmental regulator told lawmakers at DC's first congressional hearing on the crisis. (Feb. 3) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISEmotional House hearing on Flint: 'We poisoned kids' | 01:45At the House hearing on Flint's water crisis, emotional testimony was heard by members of congress on the events leading up to the water contamination in the Michigan city. VPC
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISFlint Mayor Wants Lead Pipes Removed from City | 00:38Flint Mayor Karen Weaver says she wants lead pipes removed from the city's water distribution system as soon as possible. (Feb. 2) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISSenate Dems Pitch $400 Million for Flint Pipes | 01:13Senate Democrats proposed $400 million in emergency federal aid to Flint, Michigan, half of what the state's Republican governor says it will cost replace and fix the city's lead-contaminated pipes. (Jan. 28) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISRachel Maddow to Host Special Broadcast on Flint Water Issue | 00:46MSNBC's Rachel Maddow says she is planning to host a special broadcast on the Flint, Michigan, water crisis out of concern that directing political blame was getting more attention than the needs of the city's residents. Maddow will host a special t Wochit
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISGov. Meets Flint Pastors Concerned About Lead | 00:38Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Flint Mayor Karen Weaver met with area pastors in the city dealing with lead-tainted drinking water. Snyder says it's important for officials to engage with residents as much as possible. (Jan. 28) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISFlint Residents Upset About Water Bills | 02:03Flint residents aren't the only ones unhappy they're still being expected to pay for substandard water. The issue of water bills coming due in the middle of the Michigan city's emergency also has the attention of officials as well. (Jan. 29) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISPistons owner will assist with crisis in Flint | 00:41Pistons owner Tom Gores has a plan in place to raise funds for those affected by the water crisis in Flint, Mich. USA TODAY Sports
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISIS'Too Soon' To Give Flint Water All-Clear | 00:56Michigan officials say water samples in Flint are "trending better," but that it's too soon to give the go-ahead to residents to resume drinking unfiltered water. (Jan. 27) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISFlint Children Tested for Lead | 01:10Children in Flint, Michigan had their blood drawn during a family fun night event at a local elementary school so it could be tested for lead. Elevated lead levels were found in children's blood in Flint after the city switched water sources. (Jan. AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISWater Donations Continue to Roll Into Flint | 01:32Faith-based and nonprofit organizations, companies large and small, the rich and famous and rank-and-file groups and individuals all have targeted Flint, Michigan, for significant charitable giving. (Jan. 26) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISWalmart, Coca-Cola, Nestle and Pepsi will donate up to 6.5 million bot | 01:03Walmart and several global beverage-makers have pledged to deliver about 175 truckloads of bottled water to Flint as the Michigan city deals with a public health emergency caused by lead-tainted water. USA TODAY
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISSpecial Counsel To Investigate Flint Situation | 01:03Michigan's attorney general on Monday named a former prosecutor as special counsel to investigate whether laws were broken during the process that left Flint with lead-tainted water. (Jan. 25) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISSome Blame Race, Poverty in Flint Water Crisis | 02:08One question has persisted since the full extent of the Flint water crisis emerged: Would this have happened in a wealthier, whiter community? (Jan. 22) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISPunchlines: What's more toxic than water in Flint? Not much | 04:17The late-night comics on Gov. Snyder's late, flimsy response to the crisis. Take a look at our favorite jokes, then vote for yours at opinion.usatoday.com. Eileen Rivers
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISFlint Mayor slams state on water crisis | 01:35Speaking at a mayor's conference in Washington Wednesday, the mayor of Flint, Michigan said the state should be held accountable for the city's ongoing water crisis. (Jan. 20) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISMich. Gov. Devotes Speech to Flint Water Crisis | 01:35With the water crisis gripping Flint, Michigan threatening to overshadow nearly everything else Rick Snyder has accomplished, the Republican governor again pledged a fix Tuesday night during his annual State of the State speech. (Jan. 20) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISGov. Snyder outlines plan to fix Flint's water crisis | 02:13Governor Rick Snyder outlined his plan to fix the water crisis in Flint, Michigan during his State of the State address. VPC
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISGov. Named in Lawsuits Over Flint Water Crisis | 01:20Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is among officials named in lawsuits filed over the handling of the Flint water crisis (Jan. 19) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISFlint water crisis: 5 things you need to know | 01:35The once quiet city of Flint, Michigan is facing a drinking water crisis that is drawing concern from around the nation. Here's what you need to know about how the public health crisis has evolved. VPC
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISIS'Brown, corrosive' water woes, outrages Michigan town | 02:08Just one hour north of Detroit in Flint, Michigan where residents have felt under siege for years, the newest threat pours from kitchen spigots and showerheads. VPC
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISRaw: Door-to-door water delivery begins in Flint | 00:50Deputies from the Genesee County Sheriff's Department began the door-to-door water delivery initiative across Flint on Monday morning, helping residents cope with the ongoing water crisis. (Jan. 11) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISMichael Moore returns to Flint amid water crisis | 01:21Documentary filmmaker and former Flint resident Michael Moore returned to his hometown to call for President Barack Obama to come see the water crisis for himself. (Jan. 16) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISCher believes in helping Flint and donates 181,000 bottles of water | 01:00The singer tweeted her heartbreak upon hearing people in Flint were dying of Legionella bacteria linked to lead in the city's water. Buzz60
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISNatl. Guard arrives in Flint amid water crisis | 00:48The National Guard arrived in Flint, Michigan Wednesday to help with water and filter distribution amid a crisis with the city's water system. (Jan. 13) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISObama declares emergency in Flint over contaminated water | 01:54President Obama has declared a state of emergency in Flint, Michigan because of water contamination.
Video provided by Newsy Newslook
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISLong-term solution sought for Flint water crisis | 00:25Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder says help is being given to Flint residents affected by the city's water woes while officials work on a long-term solution. The governor made his remarks during a tour of the Detroit auto show. (Jan. 12) AP
FLINT, MICH. WATER CRISISWater emergency in Michigan | 00:35Michigan governor Rick Snyder has declared a state of emergency amid a federal investigation in Flint over problems with lead in the city's drinking water. It makes available state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery operations. USA TODAY
Last VideoNext Video
Powered By WizardRSS.com | Full Text RSS Feed