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December 13, 2022
City of Benton Harbor residents urged to take additional steps to eliminate sources of lead in their homes
LANSING, Mich. – With 99.4% of lead service lines replaced in the City of Benton Harbor, the state is continuing its all-hands-on-deck attempt to make safe drinking water available to residents in the City of Benton Harbor.
It’s important that Benton Harbor families continue to use filters or bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods and mixing powdered infant formula until they have their free home lead inspection.
Adjustments to water distribution are being made over the next couple of weeks due to the holidays as well as a new winter distribution plan. As of Wednesday, Jan. 4, bottled water will be available for pick up at the Southwest Community Action Agency. Water distribution at the Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor Fettig Youth Campus is being discontinued.
“As the lead service line replacement project is nearing completion, we are making adjustments to our bottled water distribution plan based on demand, which has been steadily decreasing,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We are grateful for all the amazing partners we have had in providing Benton Harbor families with clean drinking water. We could not have done this so successfully without the hard work and dedication of the churches, community groups and volunteers.”
“The Boys and Girls Club is proud to have supported the Benton Harbor community as local, state and federal organizations work together to ensure residents have access to water while lead service lines are being replaced,” Alloyd Blackmon, chief executive officer, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Michigan. “We appreciate the support of the faith-based organizations Abundant Life COGIC, Brotherhood of All Nations COGIC, Ebenezer Baptist Church and Purpose Church Ministries for their hard work and dedication with water distribution this past year as we near completion of the lead service line replacement.”
Homebound delivery of bottled water will continue for those in need of this service. To arrange water delivery to the homebound or residents without transportation in the City of Benton Harbor, contact 211, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Phones that cannot contact 211 should call 844-875-9211.
Following is the holiday schedule for the rest of the month of December. City of Benton Harbor residents can pick up water at Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor Fettig Youth Campus, 600 Nate Wells Sr. Drive, on the following dates:
Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, is hosting water pickup on the following dates:
The water bottle recycling trailer is located in Housing Commission parking lot, 721 Nate Wells Sr. Drive.
City of Benton Harbor residents are reminded of steps they should take after their lead service lines are replaced to help protect their families from lead exposure.
This includes:
Home Lead Services
Home lead services are available for all housing units, rental or owner occupied, on the Benton Harbor water supply, regardless of the age of the home. There are no household income requirements, and the services are available to single and multi-family residences. Owners of rental properties will be required to participate in cost sharing for services.
In home-lead investigation services can include environmental investigations to identify lead in paint, dust, soil and drinking water hazards. In addition, sequential water sampling to identify lead in drinking water and testing of non-household components (toys, dishes, furniture, etc.) with potential to contain lead will be offered.
Lead abatement services can include full abatement services for lead in paint, dust, soil and drinking water hazards. Pre-2014 bathroom and kitchen faucets used for potable water will be replaced regardless of water sampling results.
Applications are available online at Lead Safe Home Program ALE application. Residents also can call 866-691-5323 to obtain information.
Flushing
The contractors who replace your lead line will ensure that a thorough plumbing flush takes place in your home after service line replacement is completed. The Flushing Your House Plumbing System When Water Services are Restored flyer details the process used when flushing immediately following replacement. Keeping fresh water moving through the lines keeps fresh water in your home’s plumbing and keeps water flowing through the larger water distribution system as a whole.
Cleaning Your Aerator
The screens on the ends of faucets are called aerators. Aerators help keep pieces of lead and other particles from getting into your water. During construction or repairs to the public water system or service lines near your home, the recommendation is to clean drinking water faucet aerators at least every month or more until the work is done. In general, it is recommended that residents clean their drinking water faucet aerator at least every six months. Step-by-step guidance is provided in the Cleaning Your Aerators flyer.
Lead reducing filters and bottled water
Lead-reducing filters and bottled water will continue be provided to City of Benton Harbor residents even as lead service line replacement work nears completion nearly five months ahead of schedule.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study confirms that certified filters, properly installed and maintained, are effective in reducing lead in Benton Harbor drinking water.
The Berrien County Health Department (BCHD) is providing free lead-reducing filters. Residents can receive a free filter by picking one up at BCHD at 2149 E. Napier Avenue, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Filters can also be mailed to residents who call the drinking water hotline at 844-934-1315 or fill out an online form.
For questions about lead, MDHHS can be reached at 866-691-5323 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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Media Contact:
Lynn Sutfin
517-241-2112