Dēmos Marks the 9th Anniversary of the Flint Water Crisis, Calls for Increased Investments in Water Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Dēmos, the think tank for the racial justice movement, released the following statement to mark the 9th anniversary of the Flint Water Crisis: 

“It has been nine years since the start of the Flint, Michigan water crisis, and its residents are still dealing with rising lead levels, long term health issues and lingering community mistrust. The danger in Flint sounded an alarm and put a spotlight on impacted water systems across the country. 

“Nearly 30 million people in this country can’t drink their water and unsafe water conditions are 40% more likely to occur in communities of color.

Nearly 30 million people in this country can’t drink their water and unsafe water conditions are 40% more likely to occur in communities of color.

 

In the past year alone, we’ve seen unsafe water issues in Jackson, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. And the increasing intensity of climate change further magnifies this issue. 

“It’s time to recognize clean water as a critical public good, necessary for our economic, mental and physical well being. For decades, our government has consistently invested less and less in public infrastructure, including our water systems. The rise of water crises across the country is a direct result of decades of policy choices that favored privatization and profits over our families and communities.

The rise of water crises across the country is a direct result of decades of policy choices that favored privatization and profits over our families and communities

 

Often led by Black and brown communities, grassroots groups have organized emergency services when the state and federal government fall short and demanded accountability where needed.  

“While we applaud President Biden’s recent executive order centered on environmental justice, and historic investments in infrastructure, we must ensure that water remains a public good and demand a significant investment in our country’s infrastructure, from our water systems to caregiving and education.” 

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