The water crisis in Flint, Michigan, has roots back several years and is tied to various executive actions by Governor Snyder. In recent months, multiple FOIA requests and email releases have tried to uncover what Governor Snyder knew about the water crisis and when he knew it. This timeline compiles many of those findings to explore how the crisis unfolded and Governor Snyder’s involvement. It is clear that the Snyder administration knew more about the crisis than it had initially disclosed to the public — with disastrous consequences for public health.
January 1, 2011 – Rick Snyder assumes office as governor.
March 16, 2011 – Governor Snyder signs Public Act 4 of 2011 expanding powers of emergency managers.
November 8, 2011 – Governor Snyder declares a financial emergency setting the stage to appoint an Emergency Manager in Flint.
November 6, 2012 – In a referendum, voters repeal Public Act 4 of 2011’s expansion of the Governor’s financial emergency powers.
April 25, 2014 – The Emergency Manager switches Flint’s water source to the Flint River.
August 2014 – Flint water violates federal water quality standards for E. Coli and total coliform bacteria.
September 2014 – Flint water again violates federal water quality standards for coliform bacteria.
October 13, 2014 – General Motors stops using Flint water to make car parts, due to fear of the water’s corrosiveness.
October 2014 – Governor Snyder receives briefing about Flint water, and two top advisors recommend the city switch back to Detroit water. The state’s Department of Environmental Quality learns about a potential link between Flint water and deadly Legionnaires’ outbreak.
January 2015 – State official warns against calling Flint water “safe” because of deadly outbreak of the Legionnaires’ disease.
February 17, 2015 – Governor Snyder sets up meeting with his top officials, and “Flint water” is on the agenda.
February 18, 2015 – First tests find very high levels of lead in the water at Leanne Walters home in Flint, despite pre-flushing before collecting the sample.
March 23, 2015 – Flint City Council votes to reconnect to Detroit water, but the Emergency Manager rejects their call saying, "Flint water today is safe by all (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and (Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) standards."
April 29, 2015 – Snyder ends emergency management in Flint and gives oversight of city finances to a Receivership Transition Advisory Board.
July 9, 2015 – The ACLU of Michigan reveals leaked EPA memo about high levels of lead in Flint water.
July 2015 – Snyder’s chief of staff is told that Flint pastors are concerned about lead in the water.
August 2015 – Snyder secretly arranges for Flint pastors to distribute 1,500 water filters, and his staff asked the pastors not to speak about the arrangement.
August 27, 2015 – Virginia Tech researchers release first batch of results showing high levels of lead in Flint water.
September 24, 2015 – Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha releases study finding nearly twice as many Flint children have high lead levels in their blood since the water switch.
September 25, 2015 – Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokeswomen disputes Dr. Hanna-Attisha’s findings.
October 1, 2015 – County officials ask Snyder to declare a state of emergency in Flint.
October 8, 2015 – Governor Snyder announces plans to help reconnect Flint to Detroit water.
October 16, 2015 – Flint reconnects to Detroit water.
December 14, 2015 – Flint Mayor Karen Weaver declares State of Emergency.
January 13, 2016 – The public is finally told about deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease.