[0:00] (INTRO MUSIC WITH MOTION TEXT): U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL - PREVENT AND DETECT FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE - THROUGH OVERSIGHT - epa.gov/oig - @EPAoig

[0:25] (TEXT WITH REPORT COVER IMAGE AND MUSIC): The OIG issued a comprehensive report detailing the circumstances surrounding the water contamination in the city of Flint Michigan. The report also addresses EPA's response to the crisis, including its use of oversight authority. The report is available at epa.gov/oig.

[0:54] (MOTION TEXT WITH SUPPORTING B-ROLL VIDEO AND MUSIC): OIG Project Mnager Khadija Walker and her team invested over 2 years researching and collecting truths about the water crisis from all involved, including: EPA leadership and staff, City of Flint officials, State of Michigan officials and Flint citizens. OIG Project Manager Khadija Walker now sheds light on the developments and findings that encompass the water crisis.

[1:21] (TEXT WITH MUSIC): What led to the lead?
[1:23-3:53] (On-camera subject Khadija Walker in interview setting with background music and cuts to supporting b-roll and still imagery throughout.) 
KHADIJA WALKER: So, in April 2014, the City of Flint switched
water sources.


They were previously using water from Detroit and they switched to water from the Flint River. 


After that switch, there was incidences of contamination with coliform and MCL and later surfaced that there was lead contamination. 


The City of Flint, when they were purchasing from Detroit, the water from Detroit already had corrosion inhibiting additive in it that sealed the pipes, so that lead wouldn't leach into the water. 


When they switched to the river, to the Flint River, they did not put in a corrosion inhibiting additive. That decision led to the deterioration of the pipes and exposed Flint citizens to lead in their drinking water.

[2:31](TEXT: Findings & Recommendations) 


There was communication issues amongst the staff and managers in EPA Region 5 and also the relationship between MDEQ and EPA. All of these things combined is what we call, "internal control issues." 
Which are management controls that government entities should have to ensure that their programs and operations run smoothly and effectively. We recommended that EPA improves controls. 
We recommended that they establish a risk assessment protocol for information that's coming in, even if it's from different sources. We also asked them to codify their elevation policy. 
There was a policy on escalation of critical public health issues that was issued. That policy encouraged regional administrators to put certain measures in place so that their employees can elevate issues of concern. 


So, we recommend in this report, that action be put to that policy and staff are given a way to elevate issues.

[3:53] (TEXT): VISUAL CREDITS - iStock.com/ehrif, iStock.com/Richard Wellenberger, iStock.com/BOLDG, iStock.com/TennesseePhotographer, iStock.com/economica20, iStock.com/rivernorthphotography, iStock.com/Racide, iStock.com/ChrisBoswell, iStock.com/LindaParton
[3:59] (OUTRO MOTION TEXT): PREVENT AND DETECT FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE - THROUGH OVERSIGHT - U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL | epa.gov/oig  @EPAoig
[4:12] (END)