Flint Water Crisis: Holding Corporations Accountable
In April 2014, Flint, Michigan faced a severe water crisis that would plague the city and its residents for years to come. The city’s former mayor made the decision to switch its water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River, resulting in a health crisis that affected thousands of residents. Despite the national attention the crisis garnered, the city has yet to fully recover. Recently, a group of protesters in Boston gathered to demand justice and accountability from corporations involved in the crisis, particularly Veolia, the world’s largest private water corporation.
The protesters, organized by the non-profit organization Corporate Accountability, called for Veolia to take responsibility for its role in the crisis and provide compensation to the affected residents. They highlighted the fact that a decade has passed, but Flint still struggles to access safe drinking water. Neil Gupta, the water campaign director at Corporate Accountability, stated, “Flint residents haven’t seen a penny of compensation for what they’ve gone through.”
Veolia was one of the companies contracted in 2015 to assess Flint’s drinking water system. However, a class action lawsuit filed by Flint residents claimed that the company failed to identify corroding pipes and acted too slowly to address water contamination. While a $25 million settlement was reached in February, the protesters demanded further reparations from Veolia. Additionally, The Guardian’s reporting in 2019 revealed that Veolia and city officials were aware of the potential for lead contamination but did not recommend that the public stop drinking the water.
Despite the evidence against them, Veolia stands by its work in Flint. The company argues that its recommendations, including crucial ones on corrosion control, were largely ignored by the responsible government officials. This ongoing denial of any wrongdoing or guilt has only fueled the protesters’ determination to hold Veolia accountable.
The consequences of the Flint water crisis continue to impact residents. Thousands of people fell ill, and 12 deaths were attributed to drinking contaminated water. The crisis also led to increased behavioral health issues, anxiety, depression, and worsened physical health for many residents. The protesters’ primary demands include owning up to the role played by Veolia in the crisis, ending legal battles over owed compensation, replacing all lead pipes in Flint, and ensuring that Michigan’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, holds the corporation legally responsible. They also call for Veolia to meet with community members to address their concerns.
The case of Flint highlights broader issues of environmental racism and injustice in the management of crises. Flint, with its predominantly Black population and high poverty rate, exemplifies the marginalization of minority communities in environmental decision-making. This aspect resonates with cities like Boston, which has a history of redlining and marginalizing minority populations. The protesters believe that the actions and demands required for Flint also apply to the environmental justice community in Boston, the United States, and worldwide.
Looking ahead, it is essential to consider the implications and learn from the Flint water crisis. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of neglecting environmental standards and public health in vulnerable communities. It is crucial that corporations