Governor Gretchen Whitmer Inspects Progress on Benton Harbor Lead Line Replacement Project
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. --- Progress is being made on the lead line removal project in Benton Harbor. On Sunday, city and state officials paid a visit to one of the neighborhoods receiving the new lines to inspect the progress. Governor Gretchen Whitmer teamed up with Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad and lead line removal project managers to inspect the progress of the project, which is on its final stage of replacing the lead lines for copper lines and providing safe water to Benton Harbor.
“The governor has taken tremendous action. We have millions of dollars now available, not only for communities like Benton Harbor, but communities throughout Michigan to replace this aging infrastructure,” says Scott Dean, Spokesman for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer paid a visit to Benton Harbor on Sunday to check in on the progress of the lead line removal project as it’s nearing completion.
“We’ve completed line replacement for 80% of the homes here in Benton Harbor; that’s over 3,600 lead service lines that have been removed and replaced with brand new free copper lines for the residents here,” says Dean.
The $45 million budget signed by Governor Whitmer allows for infrastructure improvements by replacing the lead lines, as well as extra inspections to make sure water is completely safe for residents.
“Have your home inspected. We have free inspections that allow people to have their homes tested for lead, and there are opportunities available to have things like lead fixtures, interior plumbing fixed, and there’s a lot of other techniques that we can show folks. Things like how to clean your aerators because we really want to drive out all the lead from people’s water.”
Officials credit the Benton Harbor community for being cooperative throughout the project, which has allowed them to work ahead of schedule and anticipate completion by March of 2023.
“I think people are pretty pleased with how fast this has happened and how comprehensive this program has become.”
For information on how to sign up for a line replacement: Lead Service Line Replacement (michigan.gov)
To check in on the daily progress of the project: LSL Public Dashboard (arcgis.com)