Water Resource and Career Fair to take place today in Benton Harbor

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Benton Harbor’s Lead Service Line Replacement Project is almost 95% complete, and a special event today will help the city get closer to completion.

A ‘Water Response Resource and Career Fair’ will take place at the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor.

In order for the city to complete the project, contractors need access to private properties where replacements still need to be performed.

A few neighborhoods that still need lead line repairs include Britain Avenue and Mcguigan Avenue, High Street and Highland Avenue, and Colfax Avenue and May Street.

The hope for today’s fair is that residents will come and fill out an agreement form in person and allow services to be done on their properties.

The fair will take place inside of the Joel E. Smillow Teen Center at the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor.

From 4-6 P.M., residents can learn about the free home lead inspection and removal and take care of the forms needed for lead line replacements.

Hands-on water filter installation demonstrations will show residents how they can change and manage the free filters that the city is handing out.

Home water testing kits and bottled water will be handed out this evening, all free of cost.

Job opportunities will also be presented at the resource and career fair by the city for those who are in the market for a new job.

Environmental Justice Public Advocate for the state of Michigan, Regina Strong, says she hopes that all Benton Harbor residents will take advantage of the resource fair today.

She adds that, “the whole home lead abatement really provides the opportunity to not only identify lead in homes, but also have that lead removed free of charge.”

A map of the progress on the project can be found here.