Featured photo: Residents began reporting water that was discolored with a foul odor and taste shortly after the water switch occurred in April 2014.
Written By Jameca Patrick-Singleton
Water Warrior Melissa Mays has an 18-year-old son. Her son has lived with the Flint Water Crisis for exactly half of his life.
“My son got to live the first nine years of his life free of poisoned water,” said Mays. “So many other children didn’t get that luxury.”
This sentiment is echoed by so many other Flint parents including, Chuckie Taylor, the father of nine-year-old Da’Zija Talyor and seven-year-old Dayshawn Taylor.
“My kids have never been able to have a drink of water from the kitchen faucet,” said Taylor. “They can’t cup their hands under the bathroom faucet and sip water of drink from the hose in the backyard-all of the things that I did as a kid. They’ve never been able to just trust that water is safe. It’s crazy.”
It has been nine years since the water switch was made, causing arguably the largest man-made disaster of our time. On April 25, 2014, the Flint water source was switched from the Detroit water system to the Flint River. A switch that many residents were leery of at the time that the switch occurred. Shortly thereafter, residents started reporting foul odors coming from their water, as well as discoloration and water that didn’t taste the same. It wasn’t too much time before residents started reporting various skin conditions and illnesses. A reported 12 people died as a result of diseases associated with the poisoned water.
“Nine years if too long” said Mays. “We are three years overdue for our pipes to be replaced. It’s time for us to get re-invigorated, for new people to get in the fight. We need to lock arms and fight.”
**Residents who need pipe replacements or yard restoration should call 810-410-1133. Residents who need assistance with water test kits and/or filters should call 810-410-2020 for assistance**.
