Benton Harbor Residents Sue City, State Over Lead In Water

"BENTON HARBOR — A group of Benton Harbor residents filed a federal class action lawsuit Wednesday against city and state officials, saying they didn’t do enough to protect them against lead in some of the city’s drinking water.

Benton Harbor has been under an advisory for having higher-than-acceptable amounts of lead in some of its drinking water since October 2018. In February 2019, the state started giving out free water filters to filter out the lead until lead water service lines could be replaced.

On Oct. 6, state officials announced that residents shouldn’t use the city’s water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods and mixing powdered infant formula until the filters were tested to make sure they were working effectively."

Louise Wrege reports for the St. Joseph Herald-Palladum November 11, 2021.

SEE ALSO:

"‘Benton Harbor Is Not Flint.’ Emails Show Fight Between City Water Chief, State Regulators" (MLive)

Source: St. Joseph Herald-Palladium, 11/12/2021