BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- The city of Benton Harbor has selected five companies to replace the lead water service lines throughout the city.

The city is working with the companies to finalize contracts and set start dates in each of the 12 work zones.

The following companies were selected:

• Hoffman Bros. of Battle Creek, Michigan
• Five Star Energy Services, LLC of Big Bend, Wisconsin
• SWT Excavating, Inc. of Galesburg, Michigan
• B and Z Company, Inc., of Benton Harbor, Michigan
• Selge Construction Co., Inc., Niles, Michigan

The goal is to replace the estimated 3,900 remaining lead service lines by spring of 2023.

Work is expected to start in March.

Contractors will be looking for local workers to hire and residents may contact the city if they are interested.

“Correcting decades of infrastructure neglect over the course of months is a challenge that this coalition of local, county, state, federal, private, faith and other non-governmental organizations is poised to meet,” said Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad.

Services lines made of lead are a significant source of lead contamination in the drinking water. They connect city water mains, which typically run underneath streets, to individual homes and businesses.

The replacements will be made at no cost to the homeowner.

Contractors must have a right of entry form to access private yards to complete the work.

To assist with assuring the work can be completed as soon as possible, residents are encouraged to complete the Water Service Line Replacement Agreement available online.

For questions about lead, MDHHS can be reached at 866-691-5323 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.