On the ground in Flint, Michigan

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Army National Guard Specialist David Brown loads bottled water into waiting cars at a fire station on January 21, 2016 in Flint, Michigan. Residents can go daily to fire stations in the city to pick up more water. Kai Ryssdal, Lizzie O’Leary
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Army National Guard Specialist David Brown loads bottled water into waiting cars at a fire station on January 21, 2016 in Flint, Michigan. Residents can go daily to fire stations in the city to pick up more water. Kai Ryssdal, Lizzie O’Leary

On the ground in Flint, Michigan

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Flint’s water crisis is drowning the city in problems and concerns about health and finances are at the top of resident’s minds. In the city of Flint, families are trekking daily to water distribution centers to pick up lead testing kits, filters and a ration of bottled water — one case per home per day.

The federal government is chipping in $80 million to help alleviate some of the acute distress in Flint, but a long term fix — an overhaul of the pipe systems in the city — could cost between $700 million and $1 billion, if the outdated records system is even navigable enough to modify.

Meanwhile, in Flint, parents worry over their children’s health and business owners fret over the lasting impact on their finances. 

Marketplace Weekend host Lizzie O’Leary is on the ground in Flint, speaking with parents, farmers and small business owners about how the water crisis in Flint is affecting their lives. 

To hear Lizzie’s full conversation with Kai, tune in using the player above.