flint water crisis
Michigan governor vows to drink Flint water for the next 30 days
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is taking Flint residents up on their challenge to go ahead and drink their water if he thinks it's so safe again. For at least the next 30 days, Snyder says he and his wife will be drinking filtered Flint tap water to "alleviate some of the skepticism and mistrust" surrounding his suggestion that Flint residents start using less bottled water and more tap water.
"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 already has five jugs of Flint water at home with him, and he says he plans to make regular trips to Flint during the next month to restock.
Flint residents' skepticism comes on the heels of the Michigan town's drinking water becoming contaminated with high lead levels after the city, while under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager, switched its water source in 2014 to cut costs. Snyder has repeatedly been called upon to resign for his administration's slow response to the crisis.