Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has announced that he's going to drink filtered Flint tap water from the city for a month to prove that it is safe for drinking. Snyder's move followed the residents' scrutiny on his governance after they claimed that he failed to manage Flint's water crisis.
According to Reuters, the announcement came Monday after Snyder visited one of the homeowners with higher toxic substances found in the water tests. The homeowner expressed its fear of drinking filtered Flint tap water as it may endanger their family's health. Snyder's spokesman said that the governor visits Flint once a week and water would be brought to him after each visit.
"I completely understand why some Flint residents are hesitant to drink the water and I am hopeful I can alleviate some of the skepticism and mistrust by putting words to action," Snyder said in a statement. Snyder added that he knew Flint residents would love to see him drinking Flint water, and so he's doing it. He also promised to drink filtered Flint tap water at home and at work.
Snyder also told reporters that his wife, Sue, is also joining him in his promise to drink filtered Flint tap water, Freep reported. Last week, the governor requested the Flint residents to consume filtered Flint tap water rather than bottled water. The challenge was brought up when a state official said that the residents would drink Flint water if Snyder would do it first. One resident said that she wanted to see that the governor's family would also drink the water, cook with it and bath with it.
Despite Snyder's words, some residents drew skepticism claiming they couldn't trust the governor that he would drink filtered Flint tap water as he promised. US News reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advised that bottled water is still recommended for children under age 6 and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Experts said that by using more of the filtered Flint tap water, the faster the distribution system will be restored.
In the midst of Snyder's request to use filtered Flint tap water, the residents also fear that the free distribution of bottled water would be over. Snyder, however, assured that the water bottle distribution continues in an indefinite period of time.
