Michigan State troopers and volunteers are knocking on doors in Flint, handing out bottled water, water filters, and lead testing kits.
The city and state have been offering the water and kits for months. But many people say it’s difficult for them to travel, especially during the winter.
Lt. David Kaiser says the door-to-door outreach is part of a larger effort to help people in Flint get the clean water they need.
“We’re taking the extra step for people who don’t have a TV or radio, or don’t monitor the social networks, to reach them to ensure they have safe water also,” says Kaiser.
Flint’s drinking water became contaminated with lead after a disastrous decision to switch the city’s tap water source to the Flint River.
The state is considering asking for federal help.
In the meantime, Kaiser says the focus now is to get people to install water filters on their taps.
“If you use the filtration system, you have filtered water that takes out 99% of any contaminants and lead,” says Kaiser.
Troopers expect to knock on 600 to 700 doors today, and maybe connect with 200 or so people.
There are more than 30,000 households in Flint.
