Michigan governor drinks Flint water, criticized as PR stunt

"Earlier today, I visited Cheryl -- a ‪Flint‬ resident -- at her home in the city, and spoke with her about her water use and the use of filters," Snyder said. "I also drank filtered water with her and collected filtered Flint water to personally drink at work and at home. I completely understand why some Flint residents are hesitant to drink the water and I am hopeful I can alleviate some of the skepticism and mistrust by putting words to action."

Photos of Snyder drinking the water were released after the visit.

"Flint residents made it clear that they would like to see me personally drink the water, so today I am fulfilling that request," Snyder said. "And I will continue drinking Flint water at work and at home for at least 30 days."

Snyder added that his wife will also take part.

Some reactions were positive, but many commenters on the post expressed distrust of the governor's actions.

"Do not believe a word of him drinking the water," Cathy Wilder said on Facebook.

Another commenter said the image was a "PR pic."

"His whole family has to drink it," said Elizabeth Taylor, 73, a Flint retiree told The Detroit Free Press. "They have to cook with it and bathe with it."

Taylor was skeptical of taking the governor's word that he would drink filtered Flint water at home and at work fro the next 30 days: "He thinks we just trust him because he says so?"

Spokesman Ari Adler said two media outlets were allowed inside the Flint resident's home when he drank the water.

The Huffington Post reported that the governor's approval rating is the lowest it has been since he took office 2011.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents in Michigan State University's State of the State Survey said Snyder and his administration was the most responsible for the Flint water crisis.