The world has been grappling with the Flint water contamination crisis for three years since 2014, which has been one of the most devastating water crises in recent years and has had a devastating effect on human health. Unfortunately, it was found that the problem resulted from gross underinvestment in the local water infrastructure, the inability to track and offer the community a true account of water quality, as well as the inexcusable misconduct of certain local, state and federal agencies and employees (Bernstein.& Dennis,2016). Unfortunately, it’ll take years of hard work to resolve the problem and regain public faith in the tap-water system. A feasible plan will require a combination of technical improvements, modernization of the system, and more importantly, corporate social responsibilities that pay attention to environmental ethics.
The Flint water crisis involved numerous stakeholders; the flint residents who are the consumers and the aggrieved party, local and state water and Sewerage agencies such as the the Detroit Water Sewerage Department (DWSD) and the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA). others include the Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Michigan Departments of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Flint City Council, the State and the Federal Governments. Likewise, the CSR resolution plan should involve all relevant agencies and governments, and should fall within budget constraints of the Flint City (CNN, 2017).
To redeem itself rebuild public trust on tap water, The Flint City in partnership with state and federal agencies should implement CSR strategies that ensure that all its citizens have safe drinking water. The program should be be geared to increasing and improving water testing and educating as well as empowering residents on strategies to ensure the quality of their water provisions. As such, the Flint City Council in conjunction with relevant agencies should;
Test tap water from every faucet and fountain.The tests should be comprehensive such that they will monitor all the regular contaminants as well as emerging contaminants. This will help to identify the taps and faucets that have safe and unsafe water.
Implement a program to replace all pipe-systems that have unsafe water.
Provide free water filters to treat water
Establish a comprehensive and age-appropriate education program that informs all residents everything about quality water, water testing, and domestic water-treatment procedures to empower them to protect themselves from unprecedented water crises.
The Flint water crisis was caused by the wait-and-see attitude adopted by the city. To avoid the occurrence of other avoidable water crisis, the Flint, should work in conjunction with relevant state and federal agencies to ensure that the quality of Flint water is tested regularly, and the results availed to the residents on all public platforms. This will evidence Flint’s dedication to prevent the recurrence of water crisis n the town.
Empower (through funding and employing professionals ) the Safe Drinking Water Technical Advisory Committee to enhance the technology and practices followed while testing and enhancing the safety (State of Michigan, 2016).
The above CSR strategies considers environmental ethics and though they will consume considerable resources, they will restore public confidence on Flint’s tap water system. Most importantly, they will; enhance the provision of quality water, which will translate to decreased water-related maladies and complications.
References
CNN (2017, Feb. 22). Flint Water Crisis Fast Facts. CNN. Accessed on 5th Sept.2017, from http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/04/us/flint-water-crisis-fast-facts/index.html
Bernstein, L.& Dennis, B., (2016, Jan. 24). The Flint water crisis reveals Government failures at every level. The Washington Post. Accessed on 5th Sept.2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/flints-water-crisis-reveals-government-failures-at-every-level/2016/01/23/03705f0c-c11e-11e5-bcda-62a36b394160_story.html?utm_term=.881e5d2653ad
State of Michigan,(2016). Taking action on Flint water: State of Michigan Commitment to City of Flint. Accessed on 5th Sept.2017, from http://www.michigan.gov/flintwater/
