Michigan City Gives Out Free Home Water Filters to Low-Income Families

Michigan’s economy has been struggling as of late, but one city is making an effort to put money back in its residents’ pockets while also keeping them healthy in the process.

According to MLive.com, the University of Michigan-Flint Recreation Center was recently home to a charitable event that resulted in over 4,000 free home water filters being given to locals who couldn’t otherwise afford filtration.

The event was organized by the University of Michigan-Flint, the city of Flint, the United Way, and a number of other local agencies and businesses.

Its focus was to provide those who couldn’t otherwise afford one with a quality water filter for their home.

“We are working around the clock to bring this partnership together and to rapidly respond to the immediate public health concerns in our community,” Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said in a press conference.

“Our message to the community this morning is relief is on the way. A faucet filter is the best line of defense against lead and water.”

Unfiltered water can have a wide array of negative effects on a home and its occupants, including health issues as well as long-term damage to pipes and fixtures.

In order to be eligible for a free filter, residents had to provide proof of city residency, a recent utility bill, and proof that there is a child in the home under the age of five.

MLive.com is also reporting that event organizers didn’t stop there when it comes to handing out free water filters.

City water customers who are enrolled in Health and Human Services assistance programs had a full week to pick up their own free filter after the original lot was distributed to those who needed it the most.

Organizers say they handed out over 4,000 filters at the first event at the University of Michigan-Flint Recreation Center, but estimate that over 20,000 homes in the Flint area still need filtration for their homes.

Michigan health officials continue to remind residents that there are no safe levels of lead. They’re urging those who do not yet have a water purification system to take advantage of these giveaways before it’s too late.