F0/100

BENTON HARBOR — Water Quality Report 2026

Serving 9,103 people · Michigan

Water Source
Surface Water
County
System ID
MI0000600
Violations
221

Contaminant Test Results

2 contaminants above EPA health goals
ContaminantDetectedLimit (MCL)Status
chlorate
1500.00 µg/LAbove Goal
Lead (90th percentile)
< 0.001 mg/L0.015 mg/LAbove Goal

EPA Violation History

14

Violations (last 5yr)

0

Unresolved

4

Health-Related

TIER 3Resolved

Surface water treatment technique failure

When: July 1, 2023 – July 10, 2023Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Consumer confidence report — inadequate or unavailable

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: April 11, 2022 – April 28, 2022Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: December 13, 2021 – June 8, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: December 13, 2021 – June 8, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: December 13, 2021 – June 8, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Failed to complete additional/repeat monitoring

When: September 27, 2021 – June 8, 2023Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Other Violation

When: September 27, 2021 – June 8, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Other Violation

When: September 27, 2021 – June 8, 2023Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Failed treatment technique requirements

When: September 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 3Resolved

Failed to complete routine monitoring

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: September 1, 2021 – June 8, 2023Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Other non-health-based violation

When: August 30, 2021 – June 8, 2023Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved

Violation related to Lead and Copper Rule

When: May 17, 2021 – May 18, 2021Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

Understanding violation severity

Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly

Frequently Asked Questions About BENTON HARBOR

Is BENTON HARBOR water safe to drink?

BENTON HARBOR water receives a grade of F (0/100), which is considered failing. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits and 221 violation(s) are on record. Customers may want to consider using a water filter.

What contaminants has BENTON HARBOR detected?

46 contaminants were tested in BENTON HARBOR's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile), chlorate. No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 2 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).

Does BENTON HARBOR have any EPA violations?

Yes, BENTON HARBOR has 221 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2023. Violation types include Other, MR, TT. 16 are health-based violations.

How many people does BENTON HARBOR serve?

BENTON HARBOR serves approximately 9,103 people, Michigan. The system provides water to 1 community: Benton Harbor.

What type of water does BENTON HARBOR provide?

BENTON HARBOR sources its water from surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is MI0000600.

How does BENTON HARBOR compare to other utilities in Michigan?

BENTON HARBOR scores 0/100 with a grade of F (failing). This score suggests significant water quality concerns relative to other utilities. Visit our Michigan state page for a full comparison of water systems.

Cities Served