BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Benton Charter Township announced Monday that due to the unusual weather conditions, small particles of ice in Lake Michigan have caused the township's water plant intake to plug up.

Officials say this means the amount of water the treatment plant can draw in to be treated has been limited.

Township officials are asking residents, commercial, and industrial water users in the areas west and north of the airport to keep limiting their water use until the problem is fixed.

Officials say these limitations will help assure the plant will be able to produce enough water for any emergencies that may occur.

The township is currently working to fix the issue, but in the meantime the plant will be getting water from another source until the ice is removed from the intake.

Officials say the change in water source may result in changes to the normal water flow, leading to water customers noticing a difference in the water's appearance.

Customers with questions or concerns can contact Benton Charter Township at 269-369-6819 or EGLE at 1-800-292-4706.