Flint’s water through state’s eyes

Flint’s water is clean — says the governor.

This announcement came from a press release from the governor’s office about what has been happening in Flint in regard to the water crisis. The press release was issued April 6.

“We have worked diligently to restore the water quality, and the scientific data now proves the water system is stable and the need for bottled water has ended,” Gov. Rick Snyder said via his office’s press release.

According to Snyder, his ultimate mission since the crisis was to ensure the water in Flint is clean as soon as possible.

“I have said all along that ensuring the quality of the water in Flint and helping the people and the city move forward were a top priority for me and my team,” Snyder said.

In addition, Ms. Tanya Baker, the governor’s deputy press secretary, told The Eclipse in an email that the state will continue trying to improve the city.

“The state continues to focus its efforts on the health, education, and economic development assistance needed to help move Flint forward,” Baker said.

In the press release, the state said more than $350 million of relief from Michigan’s taxpayers has helped the citizens of Flint, including $100 million from the federal government.

Among many things, the funding aided Flint with water quality improvements, pipe replacement, health care, nutritional food distribution, educational resources, and job training and creation.

In Flint’s schools, the state said water testing of unfiltered water showed that 96 percent of the samples tested were at or below the 15 parts per billion federal lead action level. In addition, just under 55 percent of the samples had no lead detected.

Federal regulations require that at least 90 percent of tests come in at or below 15 parts per billion federal lead action level in order for water to be considered safe at a consumption level.

With the above information, the press release also included a disclaimer saying, “tests that were above acceptable levels were at individual points of use within schools and do not reflect overall water quality within any school building.”

In the past, former President Barack Obama visited Flint to speak in meetings and to the Flint community.

“I’ve got your back,” Obama said, as reported by the White House.

“I will not rest … until every drop of water that flows to your homes is safe to drink and cook with,” Obama told the Flint community.

Overall, Flint officials and politicians have been working hard and spreading awareness since the water contamination surfaced in April 2014 to help in several ways to solve the water crisis.

The water can be considered clean in some areas of the city, but there is still much work to be done to fix the overall problem before it can be announced that the water is safe for everyone.