LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Benton Harbor City Commission has declared a local state of emergency in response to the discovery of high levels of lead contamination in the water
Meanwhile, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is continuing to expand upon the number of locations where Benton Harbor residents can pick up free bottled water.
The water is provided due to levels of lead in city drinking water.
The Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor and Harbor of Hope Seventh-Day Adventist Church will hold their first water pickup hours on Saturday, October 23, with cases of bottled water also available to residents at several other locations through the weekend and beyond.
“Families that we serve in Benton Harbor are worried about safe water,” chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor Mackenzie Kastl said. “We are pleased to be able to work with the state to distribute clean, free water to our families. This is a priority for the Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor. We have staff from all five our locations in Berrien and Van Buren counties volunteering at the distribution site.”
MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel also issued a statement.
We want Benton Harbor residents to know we are taking action to make it more convenient to acquire safe drinking water for their families,” Hertel said. “Working with local partners, we are adding distribution sites while also working to have water delivered to residents who are homebound or without transportation.”
Upcoming dates and times for residents to pick up water at distribution sites are below. Unless otherwise indicated, volunteers at the site will load cases of water into vehicles.
Wednesday, Oct. 20
- Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller St., 1-3 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 21
- Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller St., 4-6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 22
- God’s Household of Faith, 275 Pipestone Road, 2-6 p.m.
- Southwest Community Action Agency (Self-service pick-up), 331 Miller St., 10-2 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 23
- Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor, 600 Nate Wells Sr. Drive, 10 a.m.-noon.
- Harbor of Hope Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 769 Pipestone, 4-6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 24
- Abundant Life Church of God, 693 Columbus Ave., 3-5 p.m.
- Brotherhood of All Nations, 516 Emery Ave., 4-6 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.
Free bottled water is being provided by the state as residents are being encouraged to use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods and mixing powdered infant formula.
For questions about lead, MDHHS can be reached at 866-691-5323 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
