Benton Harbor residents' water bill payments restart after years of delays

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- In February, the City of Benton Harbor has announced that, starting March 4, it would resume water shutoff because of missed payments. 

The city says crews have completed all of line replacements related to lead in the pipes and that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MHDHHS) and the Berrien County Health Department (BCHD) have called the project a 100 percent success for meeting or exceeding lead standards under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and Michigan’s Lead and Copper Rule.

Throughout the span of the water crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has provided $2.7 million to active residential water accounts for utility assistance credit to offset the economic hardship and to "extend appreciation for the cooperation provided throughout the Lead Service Line Replacement Project," City Manager Ellis Mitchell said.

"The city aims to operate a safe water plant, maintain a safe sewer system, and provide trash services to residents."

Residents have begun to see red shut off notices on their doors for the first time in years. 

ABC57's Ryan Jaghab will have more on this story tonight at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on ABC57 and streaming live on ABC57.com.