In a city where over 40 percent of the 100,000 citizens live below the poverty line, a mismanagement of water supply due to a lack has funds has lead to a water contamination crisis for the past two years. Up until April of 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan received the water it needed from Detroit which was being taken from Lake Huron. However, since the drop in available funds, a new plan was needed to keep bringing water to the city but this needed to be done in a much cheaper way.

A new deal was met in 2014 that would bring Lake Huron water to the Flint city area for much cheaper than the original way. The problem arose when it was evident that the plan could not be completed until 2016. A temporary plan was established to bridge the gap until the new plan was able to be finalized. This temporary plan was to use water from the Flint river to use as the city's water source. Citizens began to complain right away as water was coming out of faucets with strange odors, tastes and an odd color (picture below is from a Flint hospital).

The problem with the new water source became more evident as health issues increased around the Flint, Michigan area. Hair loss and rashes increased with residents as well. The city officials continued to assure the citizens that the water was of good quality. This is until more studies arose finding issues with the water and the crisis was officially recognized in October 2015.

Once the issue was recognized a State of Emergency was declared by President Obama and bottled water was brought to the city by the National Guard as well as volunteers including the Detroit Lions who donated water to the city. Despite the water being switched back to Lake Huron which is bringing back clean water to the city, the pipes and health effects still need to be attended to. Frustrated citizens blame the local, state and even federal government for allowing this crisis to occur and then continue for as long as it did.