Tesla CEO and tech mogul Elon Musk is paying to have new water filters installed in any Flint, Michigan homes that are below federal water safety guidelines.
Musk initiated the effort after a Twitter user nudged him in a tweet earlier this week, reading: Hey [Elon Musk] 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.”
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Regardless of whether the post was meant as a joke or a jab, Musk immediately rose to the task.
“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,” Musk replied.
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
And he wasn’t.
In the tweets and posts that followed, Musk posted a call for Flint residents to send him direct messages with information about their water testing and results.
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Musk reaffirmed his pledge with CNET news when asked for comment. Additionally, 11-year-old Flint activist Mari Copeny, also known as “Little Miss Flint”, confirmed that the tech company’s team had been working in Flint for the last week.
If that isn’t enough, Mari had been hosting a charity event for the city in honor of her birthday. When she reached out to Musk on Twitter, Tesla Motors ended up donating over 500 bikes for local children, as well as more bottled water for residents.
For now, reply to my tweet with ppm & ppb test results & will send someone to install a water filter. Creating email [email protected], but I’m in China so that won’t be working until tomorrow.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 11, 2018
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
Hey world. Let’s set the record straight. My team has been working with @elonmusk and his team for over a week to figure out the best solution to help #Flint with the #FlintwaterCrisis
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) July 12, 2018
Extremely grateful for him and all he has done so far.
Further Twitter comments have been exchanged between Musk and the Mayor of Flint on replacing water pipes and other ways they will take action during the coming month.
“Gathering input this week, will begin taking action next week and let people know how they can help,” wrote Musk.
(WATCH the video of the charity event below)
Clean Up Negativity And Share The Good News With Your Friends – Photo by Dan Taylor Heisenberg Media, CC