Flint, MI Still Without Clean Water This Holiday Season

Posted December 22, 2016

Flint, MI: A Case of Contaminated Drinking Water

As many of us gather with family and friends to enjoy the holiday season, Pribanic & Pribanic would like to encourage everyone to remember those living without clean water .

This past winter, Pribanic & Pribanic donated water to the people of Flint, Michigan, who have been living on bottled water since a state of emergency was declared at the beginning of 2016.

According to recent reports by residents, funding appropriated for water deliveries, a health registry, and water filters still has not been adequately distributed as the Flint water crisis continues.

Just yesterday, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette charged two additional former State of Michigan Emergency Managers with failing to protect the citizens of Flint from health hazards caused by contaminated drinking water. Three of the charges are felonies, each of which carry 20-year maximum sentences.

These new charges raise the total number of defendants in the Flint water crisis to 13. Many of the charges include willful neglect of duty and misconduct. Schuette commented in a press release:

“The crisis in Flint was a casualty of arrogance, disdain and a failure of management. An absence of accountability. We will proceed to deliver justice and hold those accountable who broke the law.”

While justice in cases like this is of utmost importance, nothing can remove toxic exposures from the bodies of innocent children poisoned by political negligence and wrongdoing. Rather than blindly placing the quality and accessibility of our drinking into the hands of strangers, it is critical to remain vigilant in awareness of drinking water issues.

We should ask: Where does our water come from? Who is in charge of keeping it safe?

The crisis in Flint is a tragedy that serves as a wake up call for everyone, including Pittsburgh, which has recently found its own issues with lead levels in city water.

In a free and just society, every citizen should have access to safe drinking water.

As the holidays draw near, we at Pribanic & Pribanic are reminded of why we fight for justice – and we encourage all of you to help in whatever way you can.

If you’re able, please consider giving time or resources to a charity that serves our fellow citizens who struggle to attain the basic necessities and comforts of life.

Warm wishes for the happiest of holidays and a wonderful new year from Pribanic & Pribanic.

Melissa Troutman

Melissa Troutman is a journalist, writer and vocal artist. She began full-time writing in 2010 as a newspaper reporter in her hometown of Coudersport, Pennsylvania before co-founding the investigative news nonprofit Public Herald, where she now serves as Executive Director. Melissa co-wrote, -directed and -edited the documentary Triple Divide (2013), which she also narrates with award-winning actor Mark Ruffalo. Follow her on twitter @melissat22.