The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is requiring inspections for lead water lines be done on homes within St. Joseph, Lincoln and Royalton townships.
The Southwest Michigan Regional Sanitary sewer and water authority is teaming with Dukes Root Control out of Illinois to conduct the inspections between July and August. Chair Steve Tilly says this is a requirement from the state due to the lead situations in Flint and Benton Harbor.
“We don’t think we’re going to find hardly any,” Tilly said. “Most of the lead lines are in St. Joe City and Benton Harbor. Fortunately, out here we have not been able to secure any grant money. Most of the system out here is newer. We don’t think we’re going to find very little, if any.”
About 370 homes are scheduled to be inspected to ensure there’s no lead, especially in the goosenecks and water shutoffs, as well as no lead water lines between the shutoff and the house.
If the water service is found to be lead or galvanized steel connected to lead, the authority will notify residents within 30 days.
Tilly says the company is not tearing up any sidewalks or driveways. If that’s needed, they will move on to another parcel to conduct the inspection.
