Switch to the mobile version of this page.

News Hits

        
Tweet

Email

Print
Share

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

News Hits

Flint continues to struggle with water issues

Posted By Ryan Felton on Wed, Jan 7, 2015 at 3:43 PM

Last August, MT published a cover story that focused on the issues surrounding a harmful algae bloom in Lake Erie, and, in general, the problems numerous cities across Michigan have faced with the basic necessity of water.

In particular, the city of Flint has continually dealt with concerns over discolored water, ever since Flint switched from using Detroit Water & Sewerage Department to the Flint River for drinking water. Those problems have persisted into the new year, according to a report from the Flint Journal. The city recently received a notice that it was in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act, due to excessive levels of a trihalomethanen (TTHM), a by-product contaminant. City officials sent notices to residents regarding the violation, the Flint Journal reports.

The notices say that drinking water with excessive amounts of trihalomethanes over many years could cause liver, kidney or central nervous system problems and an increased risk of cancer.

The notice from the city says Flint water is safe to drink but warns those with "a severely compromised immune system, (who) have an infant or are elderly" that they "may be at increased risk and should seek advice about drinking water from your health care provider."

This, it should be noted, is what Flint residents are receiving for a water and sewer bill that costs $140 per month on average.

Tags: flint journal, water, contamination

We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Detroit Metro Times. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Detroit Metro Times, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.

Email us at letters@metrotimes.com.

Detroit Metro Times works for you, and your support is essential.

Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Detroit and beyond.

Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.

Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Detroit's true free press free.