On the 10th anniversary of the Flint water crisis, residents are calling on President Biden and the EPA to acknowledge the federal government’s role and settle an ongoing lawsuit.
In 2014, Flint switched its water source, leading to contaminated water with high lead levels.
“The disaster was preventable had the EPA simply done its job,” Flint residents Jan Burgess, Rhonda Kelso and Melissa Mays stated.
The EPA “stood by and reinforced the state’s false assurances to us that our drinking water was safe, despite knowing that it was a lie.”
While Michigan and Flint have paid settlements, the EPA has not despite knowing earlier than reported of issues.
Residents have experienced health impacts like lead poisoning but have yet to receive settlement funds, though lawyers have been partially paid.
The EPA seeks dismissal from the lawsuit, claiming discretion over its response.
Biden “firmly believes no family should worry that water from their tap will harm their children,” White House spokeswoman Sneha Choudhary said.
The EPA “faced difficult decisions regarding how best to reinstitute corrosion control quickly and effectively,” the agency stated.
However, documents show the EPA was aware of the state’s lies about using corrosion control.
Residents argue the EPA violated their rights by not warning of unsafe water.
“Your administration publicly expressed dismay and shock about what was going on in our city, and yet, to this date, the federal government is the only entity that refuses to take any responsibility for its failures,” Burgess, Kelso and Mays wrote.
They continue demanding the federal government acknowledge failures and compensate for trauma in the way states have.
Biden has provided some funding for Flint but has not directly addressed federal culpability in the crisis.
