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University Will Offer Free Class On Flint Water Mess

FLINT, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Flint's water crisis is going to the classroom.

The Flint campus of the University of Michigan says it will offer a free one-credit class to the community about elevated levels of lead in the water system.

The university says the class will start Jan. 21. The first topic: How did Flint get to this point? It will be followed by discussions about the source of Flint's water, health consequences and the politics of water.

A post on the university's website says the initiative from the university's Department of Public Health and Health Sciences (PHHS) will start this month and will feature panel discussions with leaders and experts in the Flint water crisis. There will be at least eight sessions on select Wednesdays and Thursdays during the semester. [FIND MORE INFORMATION HERE]

Flint used water from the Flint River for 18 months, but the lack of certain treatment caused lead to leach from old plumbing.

Gov. Rick Snyder declared an emergency Tuesday, which could qualify Flint for federal aid. Much of the blame for the water crisis has been placed on Snyder's Department of Environmental Quality.

 

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