After Michigan’s governor announced the state will stop providing free bottled water to residents of Flint — afflicted four years ago by lead-tainted drinking water — churches and charities said Monday they’re bracing for a surge in people seeking help.
The church has been handing out bottled water for the past three years, and typically sees about 100 to 200 cars a week.
The city’s water has tested below the federal lead and copper limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb) for about two years, state officials said.
Residents and local officials criticized the move, noting that many in the city of 100,000 remain distrustful after their water supply was contaminated with lead for 18 months.
That untreated river water leached lead from pipes into Flint’s drinking supply, and later tests showed high lead levels in some local schoolchildren.
"Free bottled water should be provided to the people of Flint until the last known lead-tainted pipe has been replaced."
Calvary Church, one of the houses of worship providing free bottled water, said there remains acrimony toward the state.
"There’s still the concern, there’s still the frustration," Davis said.
Flint resident Melissa Mays — who filed the lawsuit that led to a court-ordered agreement under which the state and federal governments are paying to replace pipes made from lead or galvanized steel — said she still cooks with bottled water.
Flint resident Mary Corbin told MLive.com that she also uses water in bottles for more than just drinking or cooking, but her personal hygiene as well.