Nearly a decade after the water crisis that shocked the nation, Flint has reached a milestone that seemed impossible just a few years ago. The city has officially completed its lead pipe replacement program, with the state replacing nearly 11,000 pipes and restoring more than 28,000 properties across the community. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that it happened because residents refused to give up, repeatedly taking their fight to federal court when deadlines were missed.
The journey began in 2014 when the city switched water supplies to save money, but inadequate treatment caused pipes to leach dangerous lead into thousands of homes. Residents raised concerns about discolored, foul-smelling water, and their persistence ultimately secured a court settlement in 2017 that required complete lead line replacement. While the initial deadline was set for 2020, community members never stopped holding officials accountable, even when a federal judge held the city in contempt for missing milestones. Pastor Allen Overton of Concerned Pastors for Social Action captured the moment perfectly, saying the achievement shows what’s possible when communities refuse to accept anything less than justice.