A state of emergency has been declared in Flint, Michigan due to the contamination of the city’s water supply. The public health crisis started when the water supply source was switched in 2014 from Lake Huron to the Flint River to save money until a new pipeline was completed. Thousands of residents have been exposed to toxic amounts of lead including about 9,000 children who are the most susceptible to lead poisoning. State officials and the National Guard are distributing bottled water and filters to residents while they wait for a solution.