In April 2014 residents of Flint, Michigan faced a horrible disaster in form of lead contamination that was caused by government`s attempts to cut expenses on water supply by switching to another source of drinking water. Flint had and continues to have huge financial difficulties that taking into consideration current situation with water crisis increase chance of city`s bankruptcy greatly. (Hanna-Attisha et al.) Thus, in order to save city from financial collapse city`s authorities decided to buy water not from Detroit because it was too expensive for city`s budget but use treated water from the Flint River instead. It should be mentioned that using water from the Flint River as a stopgap was caused by absence of access to water treatment system that is joined to Lake Huron. This absence was due to the city`s unfinished building of this system which led Flint to its corrosive and devastating disaster. (Hanna-Attisha et al.) Also, officials who were responsible for testing and checking water failed to see what kind of water is in this river or simply they were not willing to bother themselves with question of city residents` health. This shallow and unprofessional treatment of one`s duties gave city not only unnecessary, additional expenses but also influenced those who cannot stand for themselves yet. Thus, more than 8,000 children were exposed to lead contamination that has severe consequences on their brain and nervous system that are untreatable and lifelong. (Hanna-Attisha et al.) Moreover, adults got lead contamination as well but the consequences are less severe and serious compared to children. After this water crisis reached public eye city authorities were to take measures immediately, therefore they turned back to the previous water supply but the damage has been done and a lot of people have not only money problems but also health. Although, water is no longer drawn from the Flint River pipes still contain lead and other poisonous bacterium from that dreadful river, therefore people have to put water filters, change pipes or buy water from shop.
The first question that arises is who to blame for this horrible negligence? The answer for this question is not that simple from ethical point of view if one looks at it from universalist perspective which suggests that there is no one to blame for the future aftermath because there are a lot of other factors that have influenced and continue to impact this issue. However, some of the authorities are responsible for failing to admit the risk of contamination. Thus “It's still not clear how much Michigan's governor knew about the extent of the crisis, or when he knew it. Snyder pushed for the emergency manager law that took decisions out of the hands of Flint's city council. The emails he released in January made clear that his advisers were downplaying the situation.” (Hanna-Attisha et al.) The most reasonable ethical move will be not only face the responsibility and bare the punishment.
The second issue that arises is how new authorities is going to solve all the damage and prevent further aftermath. Moreover, the other question emerges are these new officials capable of coping with this problem?
References
Hanna-Attisha, Mona et al. "Elevated Blood Lead Levels In Children Associated With The Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis Of Risk And Public Health Response". Am J Public Health 106.2 (2016): 283-290. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
Lu, Denise, and Stephanie Stamm. "How One Economic Decision In Flint Caused A Health Crisis".Washington Post. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
