Key events in the Flint water crisis
April 2014: In an effort to save money, Flint begins drawing its water from the Flint River instead of relying on water from Detroit. Residents complain about the water's smell, taste and appearance. They report rashes and hair loss.
Summer 2014: Three boil-water advisories are issued in 22 days after positive tests for coliform bacteria.
October 2014: A General Motors plant stops using Flint water, saying it rusts parts.
January 2015: Flint seeks an evaluation of the water amid concerns that it contains potentially harmful levels of a disinfection byproduct. Detroit offers to reconnect Flint to its system.
Jan. 28: Flint residents snap up 200 cases of bottled water in 30 minutes in a giveaway.
Feb. 3: State officials pledge $2 million for Flint's troubled water system.
February: A 40-member advisory committee is formed to address concerns over Flint's water. Mayor Dayne Walling says the committee will ensure the community is involved in the issue.
March 19: Flint promises to spend $2.24 million on improvements to its water.
March 27: Flint officials say the water's quality has improved and that testing finds it meets all state and federal standards for safety.
Sept. 24: A group of doctors urges Flint to stop using the river for water after finding high levels of lead in the blood of children. State regulators insist the water is safe.
Sept. 29: Gov. Rick Snyder pledges to take action in response to the lead levels. It's the first admission by the state that lead is a problem.
Oct. 2: Snyder announces that the state will spend $1 million to buy water filters and test water in Flint public schools.
Oct. 8: Snyder calls for Flint to go back to using water from Detroit's system again.
Oct. 15: The Michigan Legislature and Snyder approve $9.4 million in aid to Flint, including $6 million to help switch its water back to Detroit.
Oct. 16: Water from Detroit flows into Flint again.
Nov. 3: Voters elect newcomer Karen Weaver over incumbent Mayor Dayne Walling amid fallout over the water.
Dec. 29: Snyder accepts the resignation of Department of Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant and apologizes for what occurred in Flint.
Jan. 5, 2016: Snyder declares a state of emergency in Flint, the same day federal officials say they are investigating.
Jan. 12: Snyder activates the Michigan National Guard to help distribute bottled water.
Jan. 13: Michigan health officials report an increase in Legionnaires' disease cases over the past two years in the county that includes Flint.
Jan. 14: Snyder asks the administration of President Obama for major disaster declaration and more federal aid.
Jan. 16: Obama signs an emergency declaration for Flint, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate relief efforts.
Jan. 19: Snyder devotes most of his annual State of the State speech to the emergency, saying he failed Flint residents.
Jan. 20: Snyder releases more than 270 pages of e-mails about the Flint water crisis that show debate over who is to blame and offer insight into the state's response.
Jan. 21: Obama announces $80 million in federal assistance for Flint. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says Midwest administrator Susan Hedman will resign.
Jan. 22: An advisory panel to Snyder recommends steps the state should take, including hiring an unbiased third-party to declare when the system is free of lead.
Associated Press
