BENTON HARBOR, MI – Lead pipe excavation in Benton Harbor will begin next week as residents depend on bottled water amid a water crisis.
One hundred service lines will initially be excavated to replace all of the city’s lead pipes, state officials said on Friday.
Benton Harbor residents switched to bottled water on October 6 after Michigan health officials reported elevated levels of lead in tap water.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer aims to replace all leading service lines within 18 months. Approximately $ 18.6 million was allocated for the estimated $ 30 million.
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“Replacement of lead service lines and connections is imperative,” said Liesl Clark, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy director. “EGLE values the city’s leadership in removing all service lines and we are committed to providing technical and financial assistance as we work with the city to meet the 18-month goal set by Governor Whitmer.”
Benton Harbor has between 3,000 and 6,000 lead service lines. So far, it was assumed that it would take five years to dig up all of the lead pipes.
Residents are sounding the alarm about the drinking water since tests first showed elevated lead levels in 2018.
The first digs are being funded by a $ 5.6 million grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency last fall. An additional $ 10 million from the 2022 state budget and $ 3 million in revolving government funds will support the effort.
Whitmer also asked Michigan lawmakers to allocate $ 11.4 million to the project.
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Benton Harbor residents are encouraged to sign a water supply contract to allow contractors to work on private properties. Completed forms can be returned to Abonmarche, 95 W Main St., or by email to [email protected].
The exact dates for the excavation work have not yet been set. An online dashboard managed by the city shows the status of the replacement of the lead service line.
Residents will continue to receive free bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing food, and mixing baby food. The upcoming schedule is:
- Saturday, November 6th: Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor, 600 Nate Wells Sr. Drive, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Harbor of Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church, 769 Pipestone St., 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Sunday November 7th: Abundant Life Church of God, Columbus Ave. 693, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Brotherhood of All Nations, 1286 Monroe Street, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Monday, November 8: Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller St., 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (self-service), Abundant Life Church of God, 693 Columbus Ave., 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 9th: Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller St, 10 am-2pm (self-service), Abundant Life Church of God, 693 Columbus Avenue, 12 pm-2pm, Ebenezer Baptist Church, 214 E. Britain Ave., May 16 – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 10: Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller St., 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
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