Flint water crisis

EPA Faulted for Inaction in Flint, Failure To Update Lead Rule

July 25, 2018

The Environmental Protection Agency will issue a revised draft Lead and Copper Rule by Feb. 28 following a report from the agency’s inspector general on the EPA’s delay in responding to the Flint water crisis.

Work Continues to Optimize Flint's Water System After Water Declared Safe

Pam Radtke Russell

January 17, 2018

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The latest round of water testing in Flint, Mich., announced on Jan. 12, shows the city's drinking water is well below action levels for the federal lead-and-copper rule. But many city residents are still afraid to drink the water.

Five Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter in Flint Water Crisis

Pam Radtke Russell

June 14, 2017

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Those charged failed to notify the public about an outbreak of Legionnaire's disease that occurred long before the public focused attention on Flint because of lead in the water there.

US High Court Sets Sites for Flint Water Class-Action Suits

Mary B. Powers

June 14, 2017

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Class-action lawsuits against engineering firms and public officials resulting from the Flint, Mich., water-supply crisis will be heard mostly in federal courts, based on a U.S. Supreme Court action on June 12.

For ENR Award of Excellence Winner, Protecting Public Is 'Finest Hour'

Janice L. Tuchman

April 26, 2017

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One of my favorite moments of the ENR year is calling the Top 25 Newsmakers to the stage for a group photo after announcing publicly for the first time the individual selected as the Award of Excellence winner.

Engineering Ethics

Clean Water Warrior Wins 2017 ENR Award of Excellence

How Marc Edwards used engineering skill to expose lead levels in Flint drinking water

Pam Radtke Russell

April 13, 2017

4 Comments

The inside story of how Virginia Tech Professor Marc Edwards helped propel the emergency of lead-tainted water in Flint, Michigan.

Marc Edwards’ Story Was an ‘Eye-Opener’

Janice L. Tuchman

April 13, 2017

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Almost a month before Pam Radtke Russell joined the staff of Engineering News-Record full time, we gave her one of the biggest assignments any editor or reporter at ENR gets: writing the Award of Excellence story.

After Flint, Michigan Pushes State Lead Rules Beyond Federal

Following the Flint crisis, Gov. Rick Snyder proposes a state-level overhaul with stricter standards than federal guidelines

Pam Radtke Russell

April 13, 2017

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In an effort to reduce the chance that other cities could face lead-contaminated drinking water like that in Flint, Mich., Gov. Rick Snyder (R) has proposed standards for lead and copper in drinking water that would be more protective than federal rules.

Engineering and Society

Why You Should Never Be an Ethical Bystander

The lessons of Flint

April 13, 2017

One Comment

The opposite of a hero isn’t always a villain. The opposite of a hero can be a bystander.

EPA Awards Flint, Mich., $100 Million for Water Infrastructure

Related to federal settlement mandating $97 million replacement of city's lead pipes

Pam Radtke Russell

March 28, 2017

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The U.S. EPA has awarded Flint, Michigan, $100 million to improve its drinking water infrastructure as part of the water infrastructure bill approved by Congress last year.