Freshwater Future
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McDougal Family Foundation Funding Spotlight: Getting the Lead Out of Drinking Water
In October 2018, Reverend Edward Pinkney learned that his community, Benton Harbor, Michigan had high lead levels in the drinking water. He immediately reached out to his colleagues from Flint for guidance on what to do. He learned how a successful youth water testing program in Flint provided a trusted source of information to residents, and he contacted Freshwater Future for assistance to replicate the program.
With funding from the McDougal Family Foundation, Freshwater Future was able to help the Benton Harbor community address lead in the drinking water that built on experiences and valuable lessons learned from the Flint Water Crisis such as 1) listening to community when they suspect a problem with their water, 2) providing real-time information through science to community members, and 3) notifying and educating about the meaning of the results. Rev. Pinkney, a water activist and community organizer, understood how well the issue of trust and access to information were interrelated.
Applying these lessons learned, Freshwater Future worked with Rev. Pinkney and the community to collect and analyze nearly 45 water samples in October 2018. Our testing results confirmed there was a problem. Of all the samples collected, none of the residents who tested for lead in their drinking water had a properly working filter.
Data from Flint clearly showed that properly working and maintained filters were effective in reducing lead levels in homes. We knew that increasing residents’ access to filters needed to be a top priority. Our Benton Harbor partners kept us informed regarding city actions to address noncompliance and keep residents safe. As a trusted partner, Freshwater Future immediately engaged state and city agencies, to ensure alternative water or filters would be provided, requiring three months of daily advocacy. Eventually, these efforts resulted in state regulators issuing a notice to the City that they were out of compliance and the state providing water filters for residents.
After filter distribution began, we started training community members on filters, ensuring they had the knowledge needed to install and maintain them properly. We held a 2-day “Train-the-Trainer” filter education event that included water filter distribution. Filters can be highly effective at reducing lead concentrations, but they must be installed properly, regularly maintained, and flushed before use to reduce bacteria problems.
Our staff members facilitated a session with Benton Harbor community leaders to pose the idea of creating a Residents’ Water Council. Community leaders of multiple generations and a variety of community roles were informed about the benefits of developing a Water Council that can monitor, educate, and advocate regarding local water issues and concerns. The group wholeheartedly agreed to become the Benton Harbor Community Water Council.
The Water Council still receives support from Freshwater Future but has taken on the lead issue as well as the affordability of water independently. As a result, the Water Council is assisting the City by collecting water samples for the required lead and copper rule compliance testing. Also, the Health Department is now providing large quantities of filters to the Water Council so they can distribute in places where residents feel comfortable and welcome.
The Benton Harbor Water Council continues to advocate for the needs of the community as well as ensure residents can access the resources they need to protect their families from the harmful impacts of lead. It is also working collectively with other Water Councils, onstate and federal policies that support access to clean, safe, affordable drinking water.
Photo: Freshwater Future
