State of Emergency is declared in Flint (January 16) For the last two years, residents of Flint used water from the Flint River because it was cheaper to buy. However, the Flint River’s water is dirty and unhealthy. State officials claimed the water was drinkable, however the water from the river was dirty and smelly. Flint residents started to develop rashes and other ailments. On January 19, independent studies found high levels of lead in the water.