Dismissal of Community

 The Flint water crisis was exacerbated by governmental agencies and personnel who did not uphold their responsibilities to the community. To start, the Flint water was never tested or treated by MDEQ either prior to or whilst being distributed to the community.

Once in the midst of the crisis MDEQ opted to repeatedly ignore, deny, and dismiss resident’s concerns. A report by the Flint Water Advisory Task Force—created by Gov. Snyder—said that the MDEQ is primarily responsible as their interactions with the public "was often one of aggressive dismissal, belittlement, and attempts to discredit these efforts and the individuals involved."

For example, in response to Virginia Tech’s findings of lead at 13,200 ppb, MDEQ spokesperson Brad Wurfel wrote in an email to MLive: "they've only just arrived in town and quickly proven the theory they set out to prove, and while the state appreciates academic participation in this discussion, offering broad, dire public health advice based on some quick testing could be seen as fanning political flames irresponsibly." A fellow spokesperson said the study from Hurley Medical Center showed an increase in elevated blood lead levels was likely a result of seasonal changes, rather than the water source change.

MDEQ also published a report showing the quality of their water. However, in the report, they dropped two water samples which ensured the reported lead levels remained within federally mandated levels and warranted no action. Officials claimed the two samples did not meet federal criteria.

In general, Flint officials turned the problem back on the citizens, saying activists weren’t taking the issue seriously and instead of using it as a political ploy. Activists were even called the “anti-everything group.”