FLINT, Mich.—Credit unions are among those dealing with the water crisis here after this city’s municipal water supply was found to be contaminated with lead.
Among those dealing with the challenges is FM Financial Credit Union here, where employees are tired of “hauling water” to work every day as the city’s water crisis continues.
Months after this town switched from a Detroit water supply to one from the Flint River, contaminants in the local water system have sickened people and residents have filed lawsuits, drawing national attention. Even small amounts of lead could cause lasting health and developmental problems in children. President Obama this month declared a state of emergency here.
The one office of the $33-million FM Financial is located in downtown Flint.
“Everyone is frustrated,” said Cathy Allard-Clime, accounting manager. “Like everyone else, we have to use bottled water here at the credit union, and staff have to haul in their water every day. It’s not as big of an issue for me, as I live in the country. So when I go home I don’t have these problems.”
But for staff who leave work for homes affected by the water crisis, the matter has becomes trying and concerning, said Allard-Clime.
“This is just taking a long time to be addressed,” she said. “Months ago we were notified that the water was contaminated, so we stopped using tap water here to drink. And, when we saw the water turn brown, we became very worried.”
Allard-Clime said staff are upset that the issue has not been resolved by the city or state. “Our employees who go home to this have to work around this issue all the time. Even showers become a problem.”
Now, that the city’s problem has been elevated to the federal level, Allard-Clime said credit union employees, and the membership, are feeling a little better. “They feel that there may be an end in sight. Whereas before the federal government stepped in, we had no idea if this might end.”
It was not until late in 2015, after months of complaints, that state officials finally conceded that the city faced a major public health emergency. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has pledged to fix the problem, but a solution has yet to be presented.
As CUToday.info previously reported, FM Financial has been helping members and the community cope with the contaminated water. In October, Team One CU and FM Financial teamed up with other Saginaw and Flint area businesses to donate water to benefit schools and families, collecting and distributing nearly 16,000 bottles of drinking water.
Allard-Clime said the credit union continues to support community outreach efforts and the local food bank, which are distributing bottled water to residents inside the city.