As the project unfolded, residents got an even bigger surprise. That surprise was that the temporary water supply simply wasn’t right. In fact, CNN says that residents complained that the new water supply had a dirty appearance. And its smell and taste were just as repulsive. 

"The water would come in brown, and my daughter was like 'Mom…why is the water brown?'" Kelso tells CNN. 

The underlying issue was found to be something that many of us never think about: iron. CNN reports that researchers from Virginia Tech warned that the Flint River is “highly corrosive.” However, no one took steps to investigate. As a result, the problem continued to plague residents.

Lead in Flint

Unfortunately, this was just the first of the issues that those who live in Flint faced. Roughly 50 percent of the service lines that reach Flint homes contain lead. 

Consequently, improper water treatment paved the way to a horrifying reality. There was a concerning amount of lead in the water supply. 

But state officials disputed this horrifying evidence, saying that “their own research was more accurate.” Residents were not informed of the issue for a year and a half. And, according to CNN, the truth was not uncovered until a Flint doctor stepped up to the plate. 

This led Kelso and several other families to file a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that improperly treated water has exposed residents to lead poisoning and other medical concerns.

The scary thing is that the crisis has yet to be solved. According to The Atlantic City Lab, plans are being considered, but the issue still looms in the community.