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:
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
Wednesday, March 16
- 12 – 2 p.m. – Volunteers from Purpose Church Ministries
- 4 – 6 p.m. – Volunteers from Purpose Church Ministries
Thursday, March 17
- 12 – 2 p.m. – Volunteers from Ebenezer Baptist Church
- 4 – 6 p.m. – Volunteers from Brotherhood of All Nations
Saturday, March 19
- 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 20
- 2 – 4 p.m. – Volunteers from Abundant Life C.O.G.I.C.
- 4 – 6 pm – Volunteers from Brotherhood of All Nations
Monday, March 21
- 12 – 2 p.m. – Volunteers from Abundant Life C.O.G.I.C.
- 4 – 6 p.m. – Volunteers from New Covenant Community Baptist Church
Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, will host self-serve water pickup as follows:
- Wednesday, March 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Thursday, March 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Friday, March 18, 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
