No–we have not forgotten about Flint. Residents of Flint, Michigan, are still impacted by the lead water crisis that hit the city in 2014. Since then, several celebrities have used their influence and resources to help restore clean water to the people of Flint.
Will Smith and his son Jaden are now up at bat. The father and son actors are stepping in to get clean water to the city, according to a local Michigan paper. The Smith Family founded JUST, an eco-friendly water brand, in 2015. The company will donate the water product monthly until lead levels decrease. On March 1, the company donated 9,200 bottles of water.
CEO of JUST Ira Laufer said,
"This just makes sense for us to do. Jada Smith has visited Flint and met with the mayor. Flint is very dear to her heart … After reading more about [Flint's] challenges and the mayor objecting to pulling bottled water from the schools, we thought 'Let's help these kids.'"
While the water crisis in Flint is getting better, some schools are still testing for high levels of lead. Approximately, nine schools exceed the federal limit. Within the city, lead levels in the water have met federal guidelines for 18-months.
Mayor Karen Weaver says she hopes the city will continue to provide state-funded water bottles for residents until the water is completely safe to drink. As of now, there is an ongoing project to remove the lead and lead-tainted pipes; the projected completion is in 2020.
A review of Flint water quality is scheduled to take place this month.