The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced that the city of Benton Harbor’s water system met the requirements of the State of Michigan’s Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) during the most recent six-month sampling period.
According to EGLE, the recent test results released were the third consecutive sampling period to show declines in lead levels, so the city is just below the federal action level.
The samples were taken from faucets throughout the city at 63 residences from Jan. 1, 2022, through June 30, 2022, and were used in the compliance calculations. The results range from no detection of lead to 53 parts per billion (ppb), reported EGLE, and five samples had more than 15 ppb of lead.
EGLE adds that: "The 90th percentile value was 14 ppb in this sampling period. In the previous sampling period, covering the second half 2021, samples from 63 residences in the city yielded a 90th percentile value of 15 ppb."
“This is positive news and an indication that Benton Harbor’s drinking water system is remaining stable while the city accelerates this critical infrastructure work,” said Eric Oswald, director of EGLE’s Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division (DWEHD) in the news release. “Having said that, today’s news does not lessen the urgency around our continuing efforts to assist the city in aggressively reducing lead exposure – through lead service line replacement and corrosion control treatment.”
Additionally, more that 70% of the service line connections in Benton Harbor have been excavated and if needed, replaced with new copper service lines, reported EGLE.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reaches out to all residences in Benton Harbor where LCR testing shows an exceedance to offer additional water testing and other services, added EGLE, and all homes in the city are eligible for free lead inspection and abatement of lead hazards. Those interested can apply for this service by filling out and mailing in an application that is available online, or residents also can call 866-691-5323 to obtain information.
Michigan will also continue to supply residents with bottled water while additional assurance testing is ongoing. The Berrien County Health Department has filters available, so residents can get a free filter by picking one up at BCHD at 2149 E. Napier Ave., Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or calling the drinking water hotline at 844-934-1315.
There is no change in the current guidance for residents to use filtered or bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods, and mixing powdered infant formula, added EGLE.
