Benton Harbor Hit With Main Break During Ongoing Water Crisis

By Alyssa Wilson Published: October 22, 2021

Benton Harbor Hit With Main Break During Ongoing Water Crisis

Volunteers pass out water in Benton harbor, Michigan, water the city is experiencing lead contamination in the tap water. (Photo: WBND/NEWS 57 via AP Video)

In Summary

The predominately Black city of Benton Harbor, Michigan, has been dealing with lead contamination in its water for years and on Wednesday, a water main break caused residents to be without water for 36 hours.

Benton Harbor, Michigan, a predominately Black city already struggling with lead contamination in water, was hit with a water main break on Wednesday.

PREVIOUS: Lead in Water Impacting Majority Black City of Benton Harbor

According to ABC News, the main break has caused a city-wide loss of water pressure, impacting schools and businesses in the area. Officials warned the rupture to the water main could allow disease-causing bacteria to contaminate the tap water, which already had toxic lead levels for years.

The ongoing issues with the drinking water have many saying this is a form of environmental injustice. In Benton Harbor, 45% of residents live in poverty and 85% are Black, ABC News reported based on census data.

Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad posted about the incident on Twitter, saying crews would work on it until the water was restored.

The primary water main burst that distributes water to the tower and to all of the other arteries throughout the City of Benton Harbor. Currently, on the ground until we get the water back on. We're looking at 6-8 hours. #Pray4BentonHarbor #Infrastructure #BuildBackBetterAct pic.twitter.com/L0D5G9Bdyf
— Mayor Marcus Muhammad (@marcus4polytics) October 20, 2021

While crews were working on the water system, Muhammad alerted residents to water distribution sites to obtain bottled water for daily use. Additionally, the local YMCA offered its showers for people to use.

The 89 year old water main burst and is taking longer than expected to address. The contractors are still working on getting the water level down in order to repair the water main. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We will continue to provide you with updates. pic.twitter.com/xqawOlmlGN
— Mayor Marcus Muhammad (@marcus4polytics) October 21, 2021

YMCA OFFERING HELP SHOWERS
Good morning Mayor Muhammad,
The YMCA would like to offer support during these difficult times thats happening with our city water! We have available showers the people can use and want to see how we can work out transportation.
Thanks Stephen Rockette pic.twitter.com/SAjZLKzCly
— Mayor Marcus Muhammad (@marcus4polytics) October 21, 2021

According to Muhammad, although he hoped for the issue to be resolved in six to eight hours, the water system was down for approximately 36 hours.

This is the 89 year old water 💧 main that burst that kept the City of Benton Harbor without Water for 36 hours. @Sen_JoeManchin @SenatorSinema We need an infrastructure bill in the City of Benton Harbor. #realpeople #reallives pic.twitter.com/zfHPL1VP0l
— Mayor Marcus Muhammad (@marcus4polytics) October 21, 2021

He’s now calling on legislators to pass an infrastructure bill that would help Benton Harbor and other cities whose pipes are in need of replacement or restoration.

Muhammad spoke with Michigan’s House Oversight Committee in Lansing Thursday to discuss the lack of assistance the city has received, The Herlad-Palladium reported.

MI House Oversight Committee just adjourned after hearing testimony from Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad about the city's water crisis concerning lead in some drinking water. Rep. Steven Johnson, chair, says the committee will make recommendations at a later date.
— Louise Wrege (@HPWrege) October 21, 2021

The city’s water crisis has been going on for nearly three years. In 2018, the city was found to have 22 parts per billion of lead contamination in its tap water, which is significantly higher than the federally approved level of 15 parts per billion. Benton Harbor is about 179 miles from Flint where the lead contamination was at 27 parts per billion at the height of its water crisis, according to The Washington Post.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer proposed new pipes over the course of five years, but it remains unclear how the project would be funded in the Republican-led state. This comes as President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill continues to get held up and altered on Capitol Hill.

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