When the officials of Flint, Mich., tapped into the Flint River as a temporary water source in 2014, they weren’t prepared for the crisis to follow. 

Flint is home to approximately 100,000 residents, 41.6 percent of whom live below the poverty line and maintain an average income of $24, 679, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. When these residents found out that Flint was switching its water source from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) to the Flint River, they raised concerns about contaminated water. 

After months of being told by city officials that the water from the Flint River was safe to drink and bathe in despite the water odor, color and taste, it turns out the residents were right about their initial concerns. 

From lead-filled, tainted drinking and bathing water to a shortage of bottled water, the City of Flint declared a state of emergency on December 14, 2015. Since then, Flint has been battling with contaminated water and plastic water bottle recycling issues.

Below, you can find a timeline of Flint's water and recycling crisis.