The water crisis in Flint, Michigan, began in 2014 when the city switched its water supply to the Flint River in an effort to save money. The water from the Flint River was not properly treated, which led to the leaching of lead from aging pipes into the drinking water. Exposure to lead can cause serious health issues, particularly in children, including developmental delays and cognitive impairments.
While the direct link between the water contamination and specific deaths is complex and often debated, the crisis has been associated with a significant increase in health problems, including outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease, which is caused by the bacteria Legionella. Health officials reported that the bacteria thrived when the water's chemistry changed, leading to an outbreak that resulted in at least 12 deaths.
Thus, while lead contamination was a major health concern and had widespread effects on the community, the specific deaths were linked to the outbreak of Legionnaires' disease that was exacerbated by the water crisis. The Flint water crisis highlighted severe failures in infrastructure, emergency management, and public health protections.