Democratic Lawmakers and Celebrities Call For Investigation After Concerning Flint Water Testing Report

Jenn DizeNov 27th, 2018, 4:01 pm
 

Four-and-a-half years after Flint, MI was poisoned by lead-contaminated water, politicians and celebrities are calling for an investigation in response to a new report that found the water testing done in the aftermath of the national scandal was done in violation of EPA regulations, casting doubt on what the real lead levels are in Flint.

In a widespread investigation that included knocking on 450 doors and speaking to 150 residents, progressive news network Status Coup found at least 35 homes from Michigan’s official water lead testing group had their water improperly tested in violation of federal regulations. The report shows that Michigan environmental officials entered residents’ homes and ran their water right before collecting lead and copper samples—a practice known as flushing—or verbally instructed residents to run their water right before they tested themselves. The EPA told Status Coup that for water lead samples taken to meet EPA regulations, residents were supposed to be collecting samples themselves; state officials were supposed to leave testing kits with residents—not enter their homes and test themselves.

Flushing water right before a lead and copper water sample is taken is a violation of the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule, which mandates water be stagnant for at least six hours and for samples to be taken immediately after the tap is turned on. That regulation is meant to avoid testing that produces artificially low lead levels that would give residents a false sense of security. Flushing on the day of a test if outlawed, where as pre-flushing the night before a morning sample is taken is cautioned against by the EPA, but not prohibited.

Actress Alyssa Milano, who recently campaigned throughout Michigan for then-candidate and now Governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer, has called for an investigation.

Susan Sarandon also called out the “shady” testing detailed in the report.

Politicians are also demanding answers: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who recently urged Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to run for president again in 2020, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), who herself has been attached to 2020 rumors, both called for an investigation in response to the report.

Attorney Lee Merritt, who has appeared on cable news in recent months representing murdered African Americans like 26-year-old Botham Jean, called Status Coup’s report proof of a “cover up” in the predominately African American city.

In the report, environmental advocate Erin Brockovich was blunt, condemning Michigan for “cheating” on the water testing in order to provide false information to the EPA and Flint residents.

“The only reason to do this would be to obtain a clear sample and report false information,” she said, calling for criminal prosecution of officials that improperly flushed water before sampling. She also demanded citywide retesting to begin — and for the reopening of the free water pods the governor shuttered.

“Flushing before a first draw sample is a violation. The entire purpose of testing the first draw is to detect how much lead and copper have leached into the water overnight… once it is flushed out, it defeats the purpose of a test. Flushing is cheating.”

In April, soon-to-be-ex Michigan Governor Rick Snyder declared Flint’s water “restored” based on the water lead data that came from the state’s testing, which began in 2016 and continued through this year. In response to Status Coup’s investigation, both the governor’s office and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality [MDEQ] said the residents who spoke to Status Coup are having “some confusion” about the type of testing that occurred in their homes.

MDEQ has been caught manipulating lead data and lying to the EPA in the past. Flint residents have called for criminal charges against Governor Snyder. To date, none have been brought.

Residents who spoke to Status Coup don’t seem confused: at least 10 have already vowed to sign sworn depositions regarding the improper testing that occurred in their homes.

Read Status Coup’s full investigation here.

Jenn Dize is a journalist at Status Coup who’s reported in Flint multiple times since the water crisis broke out. Follow her @JennElizabethJ

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