Academic research

Flint Water Crisis: What Happened and Why?

Journal of the American Water Works Association

Where this source supports the record

Each entry separates the article’s editorial relevance note from its exact, section-level claims. A bibliography link without a direct claim is labeled plainly.

Epidemics & public health · 25 April 2014–2016
The Flint Water Crisis

Flint municipal water system and Flint River intake · United States

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Why editors use it here
Peer-reviewed reconstruction of the source switch, corrosion-control failures, lead exposure, and institutional response.
1. Quick read
  In April 2014, Flint began distributing Flint River water while awaiting a new regional pipeline.
  Reviewed 26 July 2026
2. Trigger and conditions
  On 25 April, the river switch occurred without orthophosphate corrosion control.
  Reviewed 26 July 2026
3. Uncertainty
  Lead exposure varied by address, plumbing, water use, and time; no single citywide level describes every resident.
  Reviewed 26 July 2026
4. Why it matters
  Flint residents correctly observed that something was wrong before institutions admitted it.
  Reviewed 26 July 2026