APRIL 2014: In an effort to save money, Flint begins drawing its water from the Flint River instead of relying on water from Detroit. The move is considered temporary while the city waits to connect to a new regional water system. Residents immediately complain about the smell, taste and appearance of the water. They also raise health concerns, reporting rashes, hair loss and other problems.
SUMMER 2014: Three boil-water advisories are issued in 22 days after positive tests for coliform bacteria.
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OCTOBER 2014: A General Motors engine plant stops using Flint water, saying it rusts parts.
JANUARY 2015: Flint seeks an evaluation of its efforts to improve the water amid concerns that it contains potentially harmful levels of a disinfection byproduct. Detroit offers to reconnect Flint to its water system. Flint insists its water is safe.
JAN. 28: Flint residents snap up 200 cases of bottled water in 30 minutes in a giveaway program. More giveaways will follow in ensuing months.
FEB. 3: State officials pledge $2 million for Flint’s troubled water system.
FEBRUARY: A 40-member advisory committee is formed to address concerns over Flint’s water. Mayor Dayne Walling says the committee will ensure the community is involved in the issue.
MARCH 19: Flint promises to spend $2.24 million on immediate improvements to its water supply.
MARCH 27: Flint officials say the quality of its water has improved and that testing finds the water meets all state and federal standards for safety.
SEPT. 24: A group of doctors led by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha of Hurley Medical Center urges Flint to stop using the Flint River for water after finding high levels of lead in the blood of children. State regulators insist the water is safe.
SEPT. 29: Gov. Rick Snyder pledges to take action in response to the lead levels. It’s the first acknowledgment by the state that lead is a problem.
OCT. 2: Snyder announces that the state will spend $1 million to buy water filters and test water in Flint public schools.
OCT. 8: Snyder calls for Flint to go back to using water from Detroit’s system again.
OCT. 15: The Michigan Legislature and Snyder approve nearly $9.4 million in aid to Flint, including $6 million to help switch its drinking water back to Detroit. The legislation also includes money for water filters, inspections and lab testing.
NOV. 3: Voters elect newcomer Karen Weaver over incumbent Mayor Dayne Walling amid fallout over the drinking water.
DEC. 29: Snyder accepts the resignation of Department of Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant and apologizes for what occurred in Flint.
JAN. 5, 2016: Snyder declares a state of emergency in Flint, the same day federal officials confirm that they are investigating.
JAN. 12: Snyder activates the Michigan National Guard to help distribute bottled water and filters in Flint and asks the federal government for help.
JAN. 13: Michigan health officials report an increase in Legionnaires’ disease cases during periods over the past two years in the county that includes Flint.
JAN. 14: Snyder asks the administration of President Barack Obama for major disaster declaration and more federal aid.
JAN. 16: Obama signs an emergency declaration and orders federal aid for Flint, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate relief efforts, but denies the request for a disaster declaration.
JAN. 17: During a Democratic debate, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton criticizes Snyder for his handling of the water emergency and her rival, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, notes his call for Snyder’s resignation. Snyder responds the next day that politicizing the issue doesn’t help.
JAN. 19: Snyder devotes most of his annual State of the State speech to the emergency, saying he failed Flint residents. He pledges to take steps to resolve the crisis.
JAN. 20: Snyder asks Obama to reconsider his denial of a federal disaster declaration. The governor also releases more than 270 pages of emails about the Flint water crisis that show debate over who is to blame and offer insight into the state’s response.
