The Environmental Protection Agency has terminated its Safe Drinking Water Act order with the city of Benton Harbor. This means the city has done what’s required by the EPA to ensure its drinking water meets safety standards for lead. The EPA in 2021 issued a Unilateral Administrative Order to the Benton Harbor Public Water System outlining the steps needed for the system to correct certain violations and come into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. In the years that followed, the city was able to replace lead water service lines throughout the community. The EPA says 100% of the lead service lines in the city have been replaced, and the water system has not experienced a lead action level exceedance in any of its three most recent Lead and Copper Rule compliance monitoring periods. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy will continue to work with the city to ensure water standards are maintained.
