Roughly ten years ago, Flint was at a crossroads. Despite concerns from citizens about the quality, Flint officials chose to tap the Flint River and filter it at a local plant while they underwent the process of switching to the regional water system. It was only seven years later that the system was installed, and after a few months, the people of Flint began to feel the weight of the matter and danger in drinking the heavily impure water. Now years after the turmoil, Flint has come to another turning point– one offering a more hopeful and secure future.

The Flint Water Crisis has been drawn out extensively, so here is a recap and general summary of all that has happened. In late 2015, the city resumed usage of Detroit city water system, and an EPA task force was organized for the foreboding water crisis. Just months after that, Flint was declared to be in a state of emergency, resulting in more national interest in the crisis.

Despite a plea made by Governor Rick Snyder to President Obama requesting roughly $55 million for restoration of pipes systems, the request was denied but adequately acknowledged, earning Flint $5 million dollars. Fast forward past the various lawsuits about misconduct and neglect to early 2017, and $100 million was awarded to Flint by the EPA to fix the pipe lines for more than 18,000 households.

This fall, the Flint water crisis continues, and city officials are investigating new solutions for the issue of water supply and health in the area. To speed up the process of restoration, the U.S. District Court set a deadline for the Flint City Council to find a new water system. Local officials opted for a short-term deal that offers a temporary fix to their solution but delays closure in the matter.

Officials made the conscious decision to extend their temporary plan of Detroit water with the Great Lakes Water Authority by two years to earn themselves more time to brainstorm better alternatives. While many Flint City Council members feel confident in their choice, there are others that argue that they turned down the better offer of a 30 year plan of Detroit city water. Only time will tell the outcome of their decisions.

Despite the devastation and decline in the community, people from all walks of life have played a role in restoring the city to health. More organizations, like ACLU, have been directing their funds and attention toward health care and testing for residents to ensure that there are less outbreaks of lead poisoning and Legionnaire’s disease. The current icon and advocate for a cleaner future in Flint is Amariyanna Copeny, better known as “Little Miss Flint.” Single-handedly, she has raised awareness and thousands of dollars in a radical effort to aid her community. Countless others have also played their part with passionate determination to turn the city around.

Although Flint reached one of the lowest points in their city’s history, they were able to set in motion resolutions and securities that will be key in preventing more events like this from happening in the future. Because of the way that they have united as a community, the decimation and struggles have been conquered, making the people of Flint like the light amidst the deep darkness in the conflicting water turmoil.