Benton Harbor: From Lead Crisis to Lead-Free

A community effort in Benton Harbor, Michigan, drew attention to the lack of public education about lead levels in water and highlighted the need for lead service line replacement. The state and the US Environmental Protection Agency responded quickly to a community petition to address the lead crisis and involved the community in the response. In 11 months, 99% of Benton Harbor’s service lines had been replaced or confirmed as non-lead, while residents received bottled water, certified lead reducing filters, and information to ensure they had safe drinking water. 

Access the article here published in Journal of American Water Works Association, September 2023.

I encourage you to share this article with your network and join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #gettheleadout and #safedrinkingwater. Your participation amplifies the impact of these critical discussions.