Flint water crisis

President Obama signed an emergency order on Saturday, clearing the way for federal aid to fix the manmade water crisis in Flint, Michigan.

According to published reports, Flint’s municipal water supply became contaminated after the city switched its water source from the Detroit water treatment system to the Flint River in 2014.

Flint residents flooded social media with photos of discolored tap water, which officials said was safe to drink.

But residents complain that the water contains high levels of lead and other contaminants. CBS News reports 10 residents have died and another 87 people were diagnosed with pneumonia-like illnesses since Flint made the switch. The cases are not officially linked to the contaminated water.

Before signing the emergency order, Obama described Flint, Michigan as an “impoverished area”, where the city’s tap water leached lead from corrosive pipes. The feds estimate it will cost $41 million to clean up Flint’s water supply.

Meanwhile, the National guard began distributing bottled water and water filtering supplies to residents.

Celebrities such as Cher and Meek Mill have also pitched in by donating cash to the impoverished city.

Collection sites have been set up in major cities to receive donations of bottled water and water filters.

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, director of pediatric residency at Hurley Children’s Hospital, is credited with bringing the problem to the public’s attention after health officials dismissed her complaints.

“It was frustrating that it went on for so long,” Hanna-Attisha told CBS News. “Everything has been slow.”

“The state was telling everybody, ‘It’s fine, relax. It’s safe,'” said community activist Melissa Mays. “They lied.”