Gov. Whitmer visits Benton Harbor for lead service line replacement

Photo courtesy Gov. Whitmer\'s office

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited a construction site in Benton Harbor Tuesday morning where the first lead service line is being replaced.

She also attended a community meeting and listened to local leaders and residents, her office said.

Her visit was not publicized beforehand.

“I am confident that we can meet our goal to replace 100% of lead service lines in Benton Harbor within 18 months and utilize the $1.3 billion headed our way from the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill specifically for water to protect safe drinking water in every community,” Gov. Whitmer said in the press release.

“We need to get the lead out of Benton Harbor ASAP and this funding will replace approximately 100 lead service lines right now. My focus is on protecting the residents of this great city and I look forward to 100% of the lead lines being replaced on an aggressive timeline of 18 months to make sure families have access to safe drinking water,” Mayor Marcus Muhammad said.

The estimated cost to replace all lead service lines is $30 million. To date, $18.6 million has been allocated for the project.