In one of the worst public health scandals in the country's history, the 100,000 residents of this former automaking hub were exposed to the toxic contaminant, with consequences that will last decades.

The tragedy began in April 2014 when an unelected city manager appointed by Republican Governor Rick Snyder changed Flint's water supply as a cost-saving measure.

While the city previously received treated water from Detroit, 70 miles (110 kilometers) away, the new source was the dirty, acidic Flint River.

Due to budget constraints, the tainted water was not treated to prevent corrosion and it began eating away at pipes in the city's distribution network.

Large amounts of lead leaked into the water, poisoning the local population.

The change in the water supply was also accompanied by an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria, which killed at least 12 people.

Despite the problems, Flint's water system wasn't switched back to its original source until October 2015.

On January 5, 2016, Snyder declared a state of emergency in Flint. President Barack Obama declared a federal state of emergency shortly after.

A lengthy legal battle ensued. In 2021, nine officials -- including Snyder -- were indicted on criminal charges.

But the Michigan Supreme Court dismissed those charges the following year.

For many, the Flint water scandal is a vivid illustration of "environmental racism" in the United States, referring to the outsized impact of pollution on Black Americans.

Some 57 percent of Flint's 100,000 residents are Black, with more than a third living below the poverty line.

At the time, Flint was home to 18,000 to 20,000 children -- an especially vulnerable population due to the impact of lead on developing brains.

Lead exposure can cause permanent damage to the brain and nervous system, leading to developmental delays and behavioral problems, among other concerns.

Many Flint residents continue to drink bottled water today, even though the lead pipes have been replaced.