Hamilton woman delivers bottled water to Flint residents

A Hamilton woman is doing her part to help our sister city deal with an ongoing water crisis.

Elisha Szafran headed to Flint, Michigan Monday afternoon, with water and cash donations in tow.

#Flint we are on our way… pic.twitter.com/s877vePSct

— Elisha Szafran (@elle3305) April 9, 2018

Flint’s water system was contaminated by lead in 2014, after the city changed its water source from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the Flint River.

The water was not properly treated and lead from pipes leeched into the water supply.

Thousands of residents were exposed to elevated lead levels, which can cause serious issues, especially in babies, children and pregnant women.

In 2016, the state began providing residents with bottled water after a disaster was declared in late 2015. They’ve been scaling down those distribution centres in the past few months.

Last week, state officials announced plans to end bottled water distribution, saying that water has been testing below acceptable levels of lead and copper.

“[The government] is pulling the plug too soon on giving out water to their residents,” Szafran told CHCH as she headed to the U.S. border.

“What [residents] are saying is that when they turn their taps on, their water is still brown and smelly and not where it needs to be to consume. They’re really upset.”

For about 10 days, Szafran collected donations.

She rented two cargo van and delivered 5,000 litres of water and over $1,800 on Monday.

The cash was donated to the United Way of Genesee County, which has a fund setup specifically for water needs.

I was humbled to be in the presence of such resilient people who didn’t complain once. They just want a better Flint, and that they deserve. Thank you IMMENSELY to everyone who donated.

— Elisha Szafran (@elle3305) April 9, 2018

More donations can be made here.