Google And University Of Michigan Team Up To Help Flint With New App
By Peak Johnson
Residents of Flint, MI, continue to have concerns about their water system. Even when officials have stated the water is somewhat safe to drink with use of filtration systems, residents remain skeptical.
In an effort to help, the University of Michigan and Google have partnered to create an app that will assist Flint residents with the water crisis.
The Associated Press reported, in a story published by ABC News, that the app, known as “Mywater-Flint,” was developed by computer science researchers at the university's Flint and Ann Arbor campuses with Google's technical and financial support.
The app tools are designed “to provide information about lead-testing results, water testing, where pipes have been replaced and the location of distribution centers for water and filters.” Developers of the app have said that they can also “predict” which homes are more likely to have higher lead levels based on their age, location, value, and size.
According to Tech Times, computer scientists at UM's Flint and Ann Arbor campuses worked with Google in order to provide people in affected areas with information on how the Flint water crisis is being dealt with
Google gave the researchers a $150,000 grant to assist in funding the project.
"We've developed an essential resource," UM computer science assistant professor Jake Abernethy told UM-Flint News. "It's an independent platform that gives people information they need and want to know as they navigate this complex situation."
Those who use Mywater-Flint will be able to log in to find out about testing of newly placed water pipes, in addition to where water distribution centers and filters are located in their community.
The research team also hopes “that the new app can help promote transparency and trust among the people of Flint devastated by the crisis.”
Recently, lawmakers on Capitol Hill passed a bill that seeks to provide emergency aid for Flint.
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and a continuing resolution will “provide $100 million for lead removal projects in Flint through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and another $20 million to EPA to begin issuing loans under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program,” according to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies.