11 heartbreaking images of the water-pollution crisis in Flint, Michigan

Flint, Michigan, has been going through a severe water crisis since April 2014. 

The problem began when Flint switched from Detroit's water pipe, supplied from Lake Huron, to a brand-new system - a process that was slated to take up to two years. In the meantime, the city decided to supply water to its residents from the Flint River.

The people of Flint were told by the city that the water was safe, and that the funny taste and odd smells were just the pipes adjusting to the new system.

It wasn't until early in 2015 that they found out that the water was contaminated with a shocking amount of lead. 

Flint switched back to the Detroit water supply in October 2015, but the damage had already been done. President Obama issued a state of emergency on Saturday, January 16, and this week a US Environmental Protection Agency regional director whose jurisdiction included Flint resigned in connection to the crisis.

Below are 11 images of the ongoing water crisis.