Water Coming Back On In Benton Harbor

waterfaucet-51
waterfaucet-51

The water is back on in Benton Harbor following a water line break on Wednesday that knocked out service to most of the city. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News before anyone can use the water, residents need to run the cold water in their bath tubs to flush their lines. Still don’t use the water until you get the-all clear from the city.

“The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy will be doing some testing of the water to ensure that it is up to all of the safety standards for all the different chemicals that are in the water as well as safe bacterial standards to make sure that water is safe for using when washing hands, showering, bathing, or washing dishes,” Conrad said.

The line off Klock Road broke around 4 p.m. Wednesday, leaving the water off until Thursday afternoon. Crews had trouble getting to the damaged line due to another water line break nearby that filled the ditch they dug with water. With the water now flowing again, the city notes as the water system is filled, it may take some time before the water reaches all customers. Conrad says locations and times to pick up bottled water are listed at Michigan.gov/MILeadSafe. Friday’s pickup locations are God’s Household of Faith from 2 to 6 p.m. and the Southwest Community Action Agency from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.