Flint Water Crisis: The Impact of Mismanaged Governance on Public Health
Flint Water Crisis: The Impact of Mismanaged Governance on Public Health
The Flint water crisis that hit Michigan in the early 2010s remains a stark reminder of the critical role of proper water management and the significant impact it can have on public health. The issue began with a change in the municipal water source, leading to a series of events that resulted in widespread contamination. This article delves into the reasons behind the crisis, the challenges encountered, and the lasting impact on the community.
Changing Water Sources and the Flint River
The decision to change the municipal water source in Flint was made in the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. The idea was to have redundancy and alternatives for water supply in place of the previous one. When construction of the alternative water source was delayed, Flint began drawing water from the Flint River as a temporary measure. For those unfamiliar with the river, it is important to note that my town, located over thirty miles downstream, had no issues with the river. Canoes and waterfowl flourished, and the area even hosted a walleye festival, indicating that the water quality was generally good from a biological perspective.
Challenges in Water Management
Two significant challenges emerged during this period. First, the preceding cold winter resulted in numerous water main breaks, which required immediate repairs. The process of fixing these breaks inevitably added contaminants to the water system, including dirt and other particulates. It took some time for these impurities to be flushed out of the system, resulting in visibly murky water while the repairs were ongoing.
Second, the issue of lead contamination arose. Lead has long been used in water mains due to its malleability and ability to create waterproof joints when tightly sealed. However, over time, a layer of protective compound developed on the joints, preventing lead dissolution into the water supply. The water from the Flint River, being highly acidic, dissolved this protective layer, allowing lead to leach into the water system.
When experts recommended adding a chemical to neutralize the acidity and protect the lead linings, this advice was met with a negative response. The reason for this remains unclear, but it is noteworthy that the political climate often influences such critical decisions.
Mismanaged City Governance and Delayed Solutions
The root of the Flint water crisis can be traced back to mismanaged city governance. Historically, municipal management was deeply rooted in civil engineering, with most city employees involved in essential services such as transportation, water supply, sewage disposal, garbage management, and vehicle maintenance. However, in the 1950s, a bookkeeper promoted to city manager in Kansas City introduced a financial strategy that used idle city funds to purchase certificates of deposit, yielding tax savings. This led to a shift in the role of city managers, away from engineering and towards financial management.
As a result, civil engineers were systematically replaced by administrators with little experience in water management. City personnel departments are now overseen by individuals with business administration backgrounds, leading to a focus on financial manipulation rather than service delivery. This shift has had significant repercussions, particularly in the Flint water crisis, where the lack of expertise and the slow response to issues contributed to the prolonged contamination of the water supply.
The crisis in Flint, and likely in many other Michigan cities, is a clear indicator of the hazards of bean counting in city management. Prioritizing financial savings over public health and safety ultimately led to severe consequences for the residents of Flint.
Conclusion
The Flint water crisis serves as a critical lesson in the importance of proper water management and the vital role civil engineers play in ensuring public health. The combination of inadequate management, lack of expertise, and misallocation of resources led to a situation that had long-lasting effects on the community and served as a stark reminder of the dangers of mismanaged city governance.