(10/05/18) - Flint Community Schools will be making a big change following years of students using water bottles and water jugs while in school, all thanks to a generous donation.
Flint Community Schools announced Friday they will be installing new ultraviolet water filtration systems for water fountains at all school buildings.
The UV water purification method within the water filtration systems will disinfect all lead and bacteria coming from the water pipes to allow students to drink from and fill up water bottles from school water fountains.
The major change is possible because of a $480,350 donation from Elon Musk and the Elon Musk Foundation.
“We are deeply grateful for the generosity and the budding partnership between Flint Community Schools, the Musk Foundation and Elon Musk,” said Derrick Lopez, Flint Community Schools Superintendent. “The new water filtration systems will be instrumental in helping our students return to the normalcy of what should be a fundamental right: having access to safe, clean water from water fountains in their school.”
The Murdock Company and Gray Matter will install the new water stations and filtration technology.
The school district says work to find a long-term solution to the challenge of clean water is continuing with key partners, including Mayor Karen Weaver, the Board of Education, FCS executive staff members, and leaders within the United Methodist Church. The school district is also working with the Murdock Company and Gray Matter.
"I am truly humbled by the generosity and the budding relationship between Mr. Musk and Flint schools, led by superintendent Derrick Lopez. Mayor Weaver joins the Flint Schools in thanking Elon Musk for the commitment that has been made to Flint Community Schools," said Mayor Weaver. "After conversations with Mr. Musk’s team about several challenges our city is still facing, and this was one of them, we appreciated them providing an opportunity for a sense of normalcy to be returned to our children, which are our most precious resource. "
“On behalf of the FCS Board, we are grateful to the Musk Foundation for this donation, which will ensure that students in Flint Community Schools have access to safe drinking water at the source—in drinking fountains—by way of the same type of water filtration system used by hospitals and colleges in Flint,” said Board President Diana Wright. “This incredible expression of support from the Musk Foundation, combined with the long-standing support of the Mott Foundation and other community partners, has been wonderful for our District.”
Students and parents can expect to see the new filtration systems at all 12 FCS schools and the administration building by the end of January.
goodcleanchristianfu on October 6th, 2018 at 20:31 UTC »
I always have mixed feelings about the idea that news of the type "[Billionaire] donates to solve [horrific problem that should have been solved eons ago by officials]" because people should not be dependent on the generosity of the ultra-rich for basic human needs to be met. It reminds me of the time a local news program did a story on a girl who was selling ribbons and baked goods to raise money for cancer treatment that she needed and framed it as uplifting - "Look at this girl go!" That's not uplifting, it's a national disgrace that that girl recieving life saving medical treatment was dependent on how much she could fundraise.
CommaHorror on October 6th, 2018 at 17:22 UTC »
Now to, have Metallica and other heavy, metal bands do a benefit.
Ritehandwingman on October 6th, 2018 at 17:09 UTC »
That’s all it cost?