BENTON CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Benton Charter Township found elevated levels of lead in their drinking water, after recently collecting samples from 20 homes/buildings in the community.

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) evaluated compliance with the Action Level (a measure of corrosion control effectiveness) based on the 90th percentile of copper and lead results collected in each round of sampling. 

The lead 90th percentile that was found for Benton Charter Township is 16 parts per billion, which exceeds the Action Level of 15 parts per billion. 

With an Action Level exceedance (ALE), this means that more than 10 percent of the homes tested have results over 15 parts per billion, which will require additional actions including educational outreach to customers, ongoing sampling every six months, and replacing the pipe that connects your home to the water main, known as a service line.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends to Michigan households to use a certified lead-reducing drinking water filter if your home has a source of lead, or even if you are uncertain that your home has a source of lead.

To reduce your exposure to lead in drinking water, the MDHHS also recommends:

•  To use a filter until you are able to remove sources of household lead plumping
• Run your water to flush out lead contaminated water.
• Use cold water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula, as lead dissolves more easily into hot water, and hot water should not be run through filters.
• Clean your faucet aerator to remove trapped debris.
• And know that boiling water does not remove lead from water. Filter cold water, then boil the filtered water as necessary.

To learn about testing your water for lead or if you would like your service line inspected, you can contact the Benton Charter Township at (269) 925-0616, or for a list of certified labs Visit.

Benton Charter Township is set to soon send a comprehensive public education document on lead in drinking water.