Flint water crisis hasn’t been fixed, pastor says 10 years later

FLINT, Mich. (WNEM) - The city of Flint still hasn’t completed its lead service line replacement program, and a concerned pastor is pushing past the disappointment as a federal court holds the city accountable.

“We were already stressed in Flint. The water crisis just stressed us even more,” said Pastor Allen C. Overton Sr., with the Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.

But as its members and Flint-born leader prepare to celebrate the church’s 100th anniversary this summer, first another milestone is reached.

“I think they like to talk less about it, as though it’s over and it’s been fixed and it hasn’t,” Overton said.

Overton is part of Concerned Pastors for Social Action. The organization is one of the plaintiffs in the federal drinking water case that resulted in a settlement agreement in March 2017.

That agreement required the city of Flint to replace all lead and galvanized service lines, outreach to residents for permission to excavate, address property damage to sidewalks, curbs, and driveways created by the service line work, and the city was to make monthly status reports to the plaintiffs on the lawsuit.

“I was in the room when we negotiated the settlement. At that time, Mayor Weaver was the mayor of the city of Flint, and I think they negotiated fairly to get it resolved,” Overton said.

That resolution not coming as quickly while some residents would continue to rely on bottled water and address their health concerns. The work was initially supposed to be complete in 2020, but more than seven years since that settlement agreement, it’s still not done.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), also one of the plaintiffs in this case, said almost 2,000 homes remain where residents have been living for years with property damage caused by the lead pipe replacement program.

When asked if there would have been any kind of settlement agreement without NRDC and ACLU stepping in to assist in the lawsuit, Overton said, “Sadly to say, I don’t think so.”

A federal judge held the city of Flint in contempt last month for not adhering to milestones of the settlement agreement. An agreement court documents show “for the sixth time in six years the plaintiffs seek to enforce.” And that the “violations have caused difficulties and in some cases hardship to Flint residents.”

“Seven-plus years later, I think it’s sad. I think there’s no excuse. It’s inexcusable. Poor leadership,” Overton said. “I do understand we went through a crisis called COVID for two years, but there’s no excuse for the work not being completed and again that shows a lack of compassion and even enthusiasm to even get excited for the community to get the project done.”

In a previous statement to TV5 regarding this issue, the city attorney said in part, “The city is committed to continuing to replace lead service lines above and beyond the terms of the NRDC settlement as long as funds are available,” and also said, “There are approximately 30 addresses remaining in need of service line excavation.”

In an email, TV5′s Elisse Ramey asked the city’s communications director if there was a timeline for when the work would be completed. On April 17, she replied there is “no firm timeline yet” and that “excavations are not happening right now.”

Only deepening the frustration for Overton.

“I’m not surprised that they feel that way and as far as going above and beyond, well when we first began to go into it, we went off of city data. City data said that it was about 30,000 homes that possibly had lead in it so we went with those numbers. Getting deeper into it, found out it was more homes than what the city even knew that they had that had lead in it,” he said.

He also hears people’s concerns about the high cost of water bills.

“One of the biggest things on the water crisis now that we’re not on bottled water and people are trying to go back to the water, is it’s too high,” Overton said. “We have the highest rate of water in the country. Something is wrong with that picture.”

A picture he said is fragmented for a number of reasons, including lack of trust for the government. TV5 asked the Environmental Protection Agency what its current recommendations are for Flint residents and drinking water. An agency spokesperson said in part that, “Flint residents should continue to use filtered water while the city’s lead service line replacement continues.”

The State of Michigan has provided water quality updates saying the city of Flint’s water system has met state and federal standards for lead in drinking water since July 2016.

“When you’re psychologically poisoned by your government and no one tells you the truth about the condition of the water that you’re drinking that you’re bathing in, you’re washing clothes in, you’re feeding your babies with,” Overton said. “You don’t trust anyone, first and then second, they have contradicting information.”

Though he sees minimal hope from some and believes people need economic sustainability to help truly turn the page, he delivers a message of brighter days ahead if unity is achieved.

“Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning,” he said. “We have to prepare and look for the joy. There’s always a positive in the situation. The bad part, Flint was poisoned. The good part, there was outside forces that came in and tried to correct the problem. The better part, there’s a judge who watches over the city of Flint and holds them accountable for what they do. So, if the residents continue to press hard and thrive to make Flint a great community, we can do it together.”

A spokesperson with the EPA provided the following statement:

Flint residents should continue to use filtered water while the City’s lead service line replacement continues. Make sure your filter is properly certified and installed. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for optimal use and care. Residents with health conditions that may limit their use of tap water should talk to their doctor.

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