Free, bottled water continues to be available for City of Benton Harbor residents at high school and Southwest Community Action Agency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2022                                                             

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. - Free bottled water continues to be provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for City of Benton Harbor residents for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods and mixing powdered infant formula.

To arrange water delivery to 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 contact 844-875-9211.

Community volunteers from the following organizations are available to assist City of Benton Harbor residents pick up water at Benton Harbor High School, 870 Colfax Avenue as follows:

Wednesday, March 9

• 12 - 2 p.m. - Volunteers from Purpose Church Ministries
• 4 - 6 p.m. - Volunteers from Purpose Church Ministries

Thursday, March 10

• 12 - 2 p.m. - Volunteers from Ebenezer Baptist Church
• 4 - 6 p.m. - Volunteers from Brotherhood of All Nations

Saturday, March 12

• 12 - 2 p.m. - Volunteers from Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor
• 2 - 4 p.m. - Volunteers from New Covenant Community Baptist Church

Sunday, March 13

• 2 - 4 p.m. - Volunteers from Abundant Life C.O.G.I.C.
• 4 - 6 pm - Volunteers from Brotherhood of All Nations

Monday, March 14

• 12 - 2 p.m. - Volunteers from Abundant Life C.O.G.I.C.

• 4 - 6 p.m. - Volunteers from New Covenant Community Baptist Church

Tuesday, March 15

• 12 - 2 p.m. - Volunteers from Abundant Life C.O.G.I.C.
• 4 - 6 p.m. - Volunteers from Ebenezer Baptist Church

Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, will host self-serve water pickup as follows:

• Wednesday, March 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Thursday, March 10, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Friday, March 11, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Monday, March 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Additional dates and locations for bottled water pick up will be added to make sure community needs are met. Information will be posted on Michigan.gov/MiLeadSafe.

The ongoing response in Benton Harbor includes the city, Berrien County Health Department, local community organizations, MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

A recent 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 has filters available free of charge.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for the replacement of lead service lines in Benton Harbor in 18 months and the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration has provided just under $20 million to Benton Harbor to speed up their service line replacement timeline.  

There is no cost to City of Benton Harbor residents for lead service line replacement. To assist with assuring the work can be completed as soon as possible, residents are encouraged to complete the Water Service Line Replacement Agreement available online. Contractors cannot begin work on any property without property owner authorization. Completed forms can be returned to Abonmarche, 95 West Main Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 or emailed to bvasher@abonmarche.com.

These efforts also include recently approved funds to remove lead from homes in the city. Families living in Benton Harbor can apply for this service by filling out and mailing in an application that is available online. Residents also can call 866-691-5323 to obtain information. 

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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