Michigan's Governor Is Going to Drink Flint Tap Water for a Month

Read: We Asked a Lawyer if Poisoned Flint Residents Can Win Their Lawsuit Against the Government

Rick Snyder would rather face the risk of lead poisoning than resign as Michigan's governor. In a press release Monday, Snyder said that he's willing to drink Flint's tainted tap water for an entire month to prove that it's safe.

Flint's residents are understandably nervous to drink and even shower in the city's water after facing health concerns since it was contaminated with lead back in 2014. Even as Snyder stresses the water quality in Flint has gotten better with newly restored pipes and individual water filters for residents, the town of Flint remains skeptical and continues to rely on the freely distributed bottled water, according to the Detroit Free Press.

To prove the water is safe when filtered, Snyder decided he would take the plunge himself. "Flint residents made it clear that they would like to see me personally drink the water, so today I am fulfilling that request. And I will continue drinking Flint water at work and at home for at least thirty days," he told the Free Press.

Among the many who have criticized the Snyder administration's hand in and response to the Flint water crisis is State Senator Jim Ananich, who represents Flint and told the New York Times he hoped the experiential political move will give Snyder "a little taste of what people in Flint have been living with."