The comments are mind-blowing. Clean drinking water is a “universal right.” No thought about how it is accomplished or who pays for it, just “give it to me, I deserve it.”
The Emergency City Manager AND the city council decided to eliminate the contract with Detroit PRIOR to the new regional water system being up and running. It caused them to use the Flint River as the primary water supply. That would not be a problem if they used the proper chemicals to treat the water. The Detroit Water System used chemicals specifically designed NOT to deteriorate the coating on the lead water pipes. The City of Flint DIDN'T use the same treatment and the linings have been compromised and lead has leached into the water. The same would happen with ANY water source.
The lead isn't in the river it is in the pipes. Every city in America, Nay the World built up prior to 1970 has lead water pipes in some parts of the system. It was the standard since the Roman Empire. Lasted forever and resisted deterioration. Problem was and is it can leach lead into the system and create a once vibrant community into a group of Democrat voters.
The way that is corrected is by use of relining systems for old water systems. Epoxy pipe lining is the standard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue18-jP6HDk
However this system requires specific chemicals NOT be used in order to maintain the pipes and keep the epoxy from deteriorating. The chemicals the water department used caused the problem, NOT THE SOURCE OR THE GOVERNOR!
The idiot NYT readers believe somehow the Republican governor is at fault and not the stupid Democrats who have run Flint since the stone age. .