Erin Brockovich Blames ‘Corrupt Politics and F–king Greed’ for Water Crisis

Erin Brockovich appeared on Real Time With Bill Maher Friday to discuss the water crisis in Flint and how what’s happening in the Michigan will soon be affecting cities nationwide. “I can’t keep up with where the Flints are happening,” Brockovich warned. “They’re from Indiana, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania – 16 cities reporting – California, Alaska, Virginia, New York, Navajo nation… it’s all over.”

Brockovich cited ammonia treatment on the water, old pipes as well as companies refusing to install expensive carbon filtering systems for what’s occurring with the water supply. “We have a failing infrastructure. The distribution center in Poughkeepsie, New York cost them hundreds of millions. Flint’s gonna be a billion,” Brockovich said. “But you know what pisses me off? All of this is happening because of corrupt politics and fucking greed, and it has to stop.”

Brockovich recently visited the Rolling Stone offices for a video interview where she talked about the situation in Flint, which the activist warned about back in January 2015, 10 months before the crisis became a national story. “Whenever there is a water contamination [problem], because of the film Erin Brockovich, people just think: Erin Brockovich,” she told Rolling Stone.

In February 2015, Brockovich sent water-quality expert Bob Bowcock to Flint to assess the situation. Bowcock then sent a letter to Mayor Dayne Walling and the Flint City Council containing 16 recommendations for addressing Flint’s water issues. That letter was “ignored,” Brokovich said.

“It’s very frustrating for us. It’s very frustrating for the people of Flint. It’s very frustrating for every community that we’re dealing with throughout the United States,” Brockovich told Rolling Stone. “Flint is the tip of the iceberg; this is a national crisis.”