The Flint water crisis, a major scandal in the United States, saw the state of Michigan accused of breaking federal laws. The primary violations involved the state's handling of the city's water supply.
First, Michigan failed to adhere to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). This regulation requires cities to monitor lead and copper levels in their drinking water, set action levels for contamination, and implement necessary measures to reduce lead exposure. However, the city of Flint ignored these requirements.
Second, by not properly treating the water from the Flint River, the state breached the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The SDWA mandates that public water systems make sure their water meets or surpasses federal safety standards. Contaminating the water supply with high levels of lead directly infringed on this act.
Lastly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strict guidelines for handling lead in drinking water. These rules demand corrosion control treatment and continual monitoring of lead and copper levels. The city of Flint's deficient corrosion control techniques and lack of monitoring for lead contamination represented further violations of EPA regulations.
Consequently, the population, particularly children, faced severe health consequences due to high lead exposure. These violations contributed to the increased levels of lead in the bloodstream of those exposed, causing several health problems such as learning difficulties, behavioral problems, hearing impairments, and delayed puberty.
[1] Flint water crisis. (2021, September 17). In Britannica. Retrieved October 7, 2022, from [2] Flint water crisis. (n.d.). In U.S. EPA. Retrieved October 7, 2022, from [5] Rule, L., & Corps, U.S. A. (n.d.). Lead and copper rule (LCR) requirements. In U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved October 7, 2022, from
