Flint-area sheriff delivers water filters to residents

Both described the discussion as productive and said they agreed to establish a group of state and local agency officials that will consider future steps.

“This is the very definition of a man made, intentional, public health crisis”, said Lynna Kaucheck, a Food & Water Watch organizer who has been working to hold the Snyder administration accountable while calling on the federal government for support.

In this February 3, 2015 photo, Flint residents receive free water being distributed at the Lincoln Park United Methodist Church in Flint, Michigan.

“These folks are scared and anxious about the health impacts and they are basically getting blown off by us (as a state we’re just not sympathizing with their plight)”, Muchmore wrote in the email, according to journalists Stephanie Gosk, Kevin Monahan, Tim Sandler and Hannah Rappleye.

Residents soon began complaining that the foul, cloudy water was making them vomit, break out in rashes and lose their hair.

The State Emergency Operations Center was activated this week following Snyder’s emergency declaration. Lead can cause permanent brain damage, leading to behavior problems and learning disabilities.

Filmmaker Michael Moore, who was born in the northeastern city of 100,000 people, has launched an online petition to have Snyder arrested for what he termed “callous”, “reckless” actions.

The Department of Justice also announced this week that they are launching an investigation into the issue. In February, tests showed alarming levels of lead in the water, but officials told residents there was no threat.

While Flint returned to the Detroit water system in October following public concern, the wide-spread lead poisoning cannot be undone. Worse, the city failed to put in place proper corrosion controls, so lead leached into Flint’s drinking water, poisoning residents for over a year.