A dashboard, created by Abonmarche Consultants, Inc., for the City of Benton Harbor, is updated daily to show progress on the replacement of lead service lines in the City of Benton Harbor, as well as maps, graphs, and other information. The project is part of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's directive for the replacement of lead service lines in Benton Harbor in 18 months.
There is no cost to City of Benton Harbor residents for lead service line replacement.
Residents are encouraged to complete the Water Service Line Replacement Agreement to provide property owner authorization that enables contractors to begin work on their property. Completed forms submitted online or returned to Abonmarche, 95 West Main Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 or emailed to Sandy Riehl at sriehl@abonmarche.com. For questions, call 269-926-4557.
MDHHS has created a Drinking Water Road Map to illustrate the steps city of Benton Harbor families should take after their lead service lines are replaced to eliminate sources of lead in their homes. Steps include:
Cleaning aerators and keeping the water moving in your home.
For questions about lead, MDHHS can be reached at 866-691-5323 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (excluding holidays).
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.
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.
Tap water can be used for showering or bathing (avoid swallowing water), washing hands, washing dishes, laundry, and cleaning.
City of Benton Harbor residents can pick up water at Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, on the following dates:
The water bottle recycling trailer is now located at 693 Columbus Avenue on the north side of Abundant Life Church.
For more information, or to speak to someone to arrange water delivery please contact 2-1-1 (844-875-9211) which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents can also call the Berrien County Health Department water hotline at 800-815-5485, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to schedule drop-offs.
Think of bottled water as food. It should be handled for safety just like other foods you eat. Bottled water should be stored at room temperature or cooler, out of direct sunlight and away from solvents and chemicals such as gasoline, paint thinners, and cleaners. Just like other food packages, if dirt, chemicals, or germs get on the bottles, they can end up on your hands or in your refrigerator and could make you sick. So keep the bottles clean. Proper storage and cleaning of the bottles will help protect the quality and the safety of the water inside them. If the bottle is cracked, broken, or you are concerned about the bottled water, do not use.
The packaging used for bottled water is designed to keep the quality of water high for an extended period of time when produced under rules set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. When handled and stored properly, bottled water can be stored for a long time. While the FDA does not set a limit for the shelf life of bottled water, general industry recommendations are around two years.
To increase the number of individuals certified to conduct lead-based paint hazard removal in the City of Benton Harbor and across the state, MDHHS is providing training scholarships.
Construction firm staff and general laborers interested in removing lead-based paint hazards from homes can receive training and state certification at no cost through a Lead Workforce Scholarship. Learn more on the Lead Workforce website.
City of Benton Harbor Drinking Water Road Map
Resources for the City of Benton Harbor
Resources for the City of Benton Harbor - Spanish
Resources for the City of Benton Harbor - American Sign Language
How to Store Bottled Water - English/Spanish
Lead Service Lines Replaced: What should you do next? - English/Spanish