Elon Musk vows to help Flint homes with contaminated water

Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, pledged late Wednesday to pay for fixing homes in Flint, Mich., affected by the city’s lead contamination water crisis.

Musk’s promise came after he appeared to be challenged on the issue by musician Dylan Shea on Twitter.

{mosads}”Hey @elonmusk I heard a bunch of people saying there’s NO WAY you could help get clean water to Flint, Michigan. Said you wouldn’t be capable idk,” Shea tweeted.

“Please consider this a commitment that I will fund fixing the water in any house in Flint that has water contamination above FDA levels,” Musk wrote back. “No kidding.”

Please consider this a commitment that I will fund fixing the water in any house in Flint that has water contamination above FDA levels. No kidding.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 11, 2018

The tweet soon went viral, catching the attention of Flint Mayor Karen Weaver (D), who asked to speak with Musk to “discuss Flint’s specific needs.”

The two are slated to speak tomorrow, according to Musk.

The crisis began in 2014 when the city switched water sources, leading to the town’s water supply becoming contaminated with lead and other toxins.

The state government stopped supplying free water bottles earlier this year, claiming that water quality had been restored.

But members of the community say the water remains tainted and a threat to their health.

Musk recently faced public criticism after he announced he would be sending a team of engineers to aid rescue efforts for the 12 boys and their soccer coach who were trapped in a cave in Thailand.

In that instance, Musk offered — and delivered — a small submarine to help with the rescue. But the head of that operation ultimately said Musk’s help was “not practical for our mission.”

Some critics questioned why Musk was not trying to help address problems in the U.S.

It remains unclear how exactly Musk might follow through on his pledge to help the residents of Flint.

He asked Twitter users to reply to his tweet by sharing lead contamination test results. Musk said he “will send someone to install a water filter.”

Musk was asked about reports that lead levels were generally lower in Flint than federal safety standards.

“Most houses in Flint have safe water, but they’ve lost faith in govt test results. Some houses are still outliers,” Musk wrote.

“Will organize a weekend in Flint to add filters to those houses with issues & hopefully fix perception of those that are actually good.”

Dave Arnold, global director of communications at Tesla, declined to comment.

You’re right on both counts. Most houses in Flint have safe water, but they’ve lost faith in govt test results. Some houses are still outliers. Will organize a weekend in Flint to add filters to those houses with issues & hopefully fix perception of those that are actually good.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 11, 2018