Benton Harbor, Michigan sees decreasing levels of lead in drinking water

For the first time since 2018, Benton Harbor reports decreasing lead levels.

After seeing elevated levels of lead in its drinking water for three years, the city of Benton Harbor, Michigan, a majority Black community, is finally seeing decreasing numbers, according to a recent report.

The six-month sample results released Wednesday showed that for the first time since 2018, Benton Harbor reports lead levels within federal limits.

"This is encouraging news, an indication that corrosion control treatment is taking hold and reducing the amount of lead getting into the water," Eric Oswald, director of Michigan's Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division,said in a release, adding that the news "does not lesson the urgency" to reduce lead exposure in the city.

Residents of Benton Harbor have been forced to use bottled water provided by the state for years due to lead contamination. The lead contamination issues in Benton Harbor echo similar water crises in poorer, majority nonwhite cities.