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.
The state is continuing its all-hands-on-deck approach to support residents in the City of Benton Harbor until every home has safe drinking water. Lead-reducing filters and bottled water will be provided to City of Benton Harbor residents even as lead service line replacement work nears completion nearly five months ahead of schedule.
We are urging City of Benton Harbor residents to take advantage of a free home lead inspection and abatement services to ensure there are not additional sources of lead in their homes from paint or plumbing. Applications are available online at Lead Safe Home Program ALE application (michigan.gov)
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.
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:
- Tuesday, Nov. 8, 9 to 11 a.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 12, 12 to 2 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 13, 2 to 4 p.m.
Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, is hosting water pickup on the following dates:
- Wednesday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The water bottle recycling trailer is now located in Housing Commission parking lot, 721 Nate Wells Sr. Drive. This location is adjacent to the water distribution site at the Boys & Girls Club to continue to allow easy access for empty water bottle recycling for residents.
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 has filters available free of charge.
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.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for the replacement of lead service lines in Benton Harbor in 18 months and the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration the administration has secured the funding to replace 100 percent of the lines in the city.
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 submitted online or returned to Abonmarche, 95 West Main Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 or emailed to Sandy Riehl at [email protected] For questions, call 269-926-4557.
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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