Flint Water Crisis: Lead Contamination and its Consequences in Michigan

1. Bell Ringer • In Flint, MI, residents began complaining that their tap water was a brown color, smelled like sewage, and was giving them rashes. The water was tested and lead was found in the water from the pipes. This is an example of [point / nonpoint] source pollution, because… • http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/01/21/flint-michigan-water-crisis-ganim-dnt-ac.cnn/video/playlists/flint-michigan-water-cris/ • Test tomorrow • All late work due THIS FRIDAY

2. Water Treatment

3. History of Water Treatment • Water Treatment – any process that makes water more acceptable for a specific use • Examples: • Treating waste water so it is acceptable to go back into a body of water • Treating water from a reservoir so that it is safe for drinking

4. History of Water Treatment • In the 1800s, many American cities were afflicted with major outbreaks of water borne illnesses, including cholera and typhoid • The cities didn’t have sewers, so sewage often seeped into and contaminated their drinking wells

5. History of Water Treatment • In 1908, New Jersey was the first state to begin routine disinfection of drinking water • Federal Water Pollution Control Act (1948) – federally-funded assistance to set up water treatment plants around the country • Before then, decisions about water treatment were left to local governments

6. History of Water Treatment • Clean Water Act (1972) – law to eliminate pollutants in bodies of freshwater and to restore water quality in those bodies • Safe Drinking Act (1974) – law to ensure everyone in the US has access to safe drinking water

7. History of Water Treatment • Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) – maximum amount of a substance that is allowed for water to still be considered safe to drink • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the MCLs for drinking water • The EPA has recorded over 700 contaminants in drinking water but only regulates 90

8. History of Water Treatment • With the beginning of water treatment, the US witnessed a drastic decline in disease • Because of this, water treatment is the greatest public health achievement of the 20th century

9. Steps to Water Treatment

10. Steps to Water Treatment • Screening – Removal of large objects through a rotating screen that works like a comb

11. Steps to Water Treatment 2. Aeration – Using pressure to force oxygen gas into water to remove any bad smells or tastes

12. Steps to Water Treatment 3. pH Correction – Adding chemicals to make the water neutral (pH of 7) • This also helps with step 4

13. Steps to Water Treatment 4. Coagulation – Use alum to clump together (coagulate) solids into larger solids so they will sink to the bottom of the tank

14. Steps to Water Treatment 5. Sedimentation – large solids settle on the bottom of the tank and are removed and used for fertilizer

15. Steps to Water Treatment 6. Disinfection – Water is treated with chlorine and UV light to kill an remaining bacteria

18. Don’t Drink the Water • http://www.wncn.com/story/22013819/wake-forest-residents-drink-contaminated-water-for-years • 3:05

19. Forming opinions in life… • Write a letter in response to the news story – each paragraph should be >6 sentences and should be legible! If I can’t read it, I will give it back to you to redo. • 1st Paragraph: Explain the problem – what happened, why did it happen, what are the consequences? Assume the reader knows nothing about this news story. • 2nd: State your opinion – Do you think the situation was handled correctly? Use at least three specific facts from the story to support your opinion. • 3rd: Offer solutions – Don’t just complain, try to be helpful! Offer two detailed solutions for how to handle future situations like this. Your detailed suggestions should be >2 sentences each.

20. Read Article 1 OUT LOUD – each person reads a paragraph and repeat. • Class of respect – help each other out, be patient, pay attention when it’s not your turn • Answer the questions together for Article 1. • Raise your hands to request Article 2. Again, each person should read. • Answer the questions together for Article 2. • Make sure everyone’s name is on the WS and turn it in to the basket. • Place Article 1 at Stn 1 and Article 2 at Stn 2.

21. Coal Ash and the Dan River • 60 Minutes interview (aired Dec 7, 2014): http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/14255277/#/vid14255277 • Follow along during video. Your Journal assignment will directly relate to the video.

22. Coal ash: http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/14255277/

23. Write a letter to a member of Congress explaining an action that people are doing that is hurting the environment. Explain the action and specifically HOW it is hurting the environment. Suggest to the congressperson one way to fix/prevent this action. This letter should be at least ½ page long and should be formatted like a letter. • Create a poster (supplies at Stns 1&2) encouraging a “green” behavior. This should focus on saving either land, water, or air resources. Your poster should have words and pictures.