Broken Pipes

In recent years alarm bells have been sounding off all across the nation about the rising levels of lead coming into homes, businesses, daycare's and schools through the water lines.  Without a doubt and with medical research and doctors backing up the findings, lead in the water system is a danger to the general public and especially for young children.  This has been an issue in the making for decades, impacting several generations and now has become critical.  We have all become aware that the consumption of lead at any level has a long term impact upon little children and their cognitive development.  This is unquestionable a serious problem. 

It’s always has been a problem and the more we have learned about the long term effects of lead, the more we have grown skeptical about how it is used in business, industry, construction and for storage.  For years lead has been a key component in paints, pipes, manufacturing and construction.  Trying to find alternatives and replacing lead piping in aging infrastructure projects and communities continues to be a tall order and expensive.  Regardless of what the financial cost are to replace or upgrade, it pales in terms to the long term physical and mental health of residents. 

The water crisis in Flint, MI helped to raise the issue and gave voice to other cities and states struggling with the same issue.  Additionally, the Flint situation helped us all to understand how serious a problem can grow if not addressed in time.  It also helped us to review processes, policies, adjusting budgets and to take a serious look at what we should be doing now before matters get worst.  In addition, the Flint water crisis became a flash point that stirred a national outcry for change in governmental accountability, water management and environmental stewardship. 

Perhaps the more interesting aspect of any national crisis is not just what happen, but what has been the response to the crisis.  In some cases we witness broken pipes in terms of communications, follow through and clean-up.  And now as we moved on to the next national crisis, we must become aware of the importance of not only dealing with the situation at hand, but also to make sure that our lines of communication are also not broken.