Final answer:
In March 2015, Flint's city council voted to switch the water supply from Detroit municipal water to the Flint River to save money, leading to widespread lead contamination and a public health crisis.
Step-by-step explanation:
In March 2015, the Flint city council made a pivotal decision to switch the city's water supply from Detroit municipal water to the Flint River, in an effort to reduce costs. This choice was part of a broader context within the Flint Water Crisis, a public health disaster that occurred when Flint, under emergency financial management, sought a more economical water source. The highly corrosive water from the Flint River led to widespread lead contamination due to the leaching of lead from aging pipes. This crisis highlighted issues of systemic racism and environmental injustice, as the affected community was predominantly low-income and African-American. The initial financial saving of $5 million paled in comparison to the over $395 million in damages caused by the water crisis in Flint.