The American singer Cher has joined forces with Icelandic Glacial in an effort to donate bottled Icelandic water to Flint, Michigan, RÚV reports. President Obama has declared a state of emergency in the city because of lead poisoning in drinking water. US Weekly reports that Icelandic Glacial has committed to doubling Cher’s purchase. The company, founded by Jón Ólafsson, bottles water in Iceland for sale domestically and abroad.
In a cost-cutting effort in 2014, the residents of Flint began using water from Flint River for consumption instead of getting it from Detroit. Right away, there were complaints of the water’s bad taste and smell, and strange color. The number of doctors’ visits went up, where residents complained of headaches and rashes. In October of last year, it was confirmed that the drinking water contained lead and it was also found in children’s blood samples. Lead can cause learning and behavioral problems in children.
Numerous people have pledged their support for the residents of Flint. Cher announced on Saturday that she would, in cooperation with Iceland Glacier, ship 180,000 liters (47,550 gallons) of Icelandic water, to the city today. The bottles will then be recycled, and proceeds from recycling used to support local food banks.
