What is the flint water crisis?

The Flint water crisis began in 2014 when the drinking water source for Flint, Michigan, was switched from Lake Huron to the Flint River to save money. The river water was not properly treated, leading to corrosion of the pipes and leaching of lead into the drinking water supply. Residents experienced serious health issues, including lead poisoning and outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease, sparking widespread outrage and highlighting issues of environmental justice and government negligence. The crisis has had long-lasting effects on the community and continues to impact public health and trust in water quality.