Flint, Michigan was recently faced with lead contamination that affected 6,000-12,000 children. The contamination led to the death of 10 people as a result of Legionnaires’ disease. Exposure to lead has long term health effects including neurological problems in children, kidney failure and cancer. The contamination in Flint, MI was due to the leaching of old lead pipes into the water supply system. The problem started when the authorities switched the water supply from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to the Karegnondi Water Authority. The river water required more chlorine as compared to the lake water and hence the cause of the lead leaching. The problem could have been solved earlier had the authorities responded timely to the concerns of the users about the changes in the water color and odor.  Some officials were found to have falsified the tests and test results. The State and Federal governments finally intervened with promises to remove all the lead pipes. The US President approved the provision of funds and personally visited the city. Several law suits were filed but the nature of the legislation made it difficult for the top officials to be prosecuted. Four officials were, however, dismissed with one being prosecuted. The problem can be attributed to negligence. Other cities have also faced  similar lead water pollutions including Washington DC, Durham NC, Greenville MS, Sebring OH and Columbia SC. The research methodology involved the use of secondary sources for data collection and analysis.

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