One at a time, national and large regional news outlets have been taking a trip to Benton Harbor in the past month. They’ve been spending a day, talking to a few people, taking some pictures or video footage and then filing a story that usually has the words “Flint” and “lead” in the first line. So, it’s not surprising that there’s a perception around the country that Benton Harbor’s entire city water supply is tainted–with lead.
The problem is that’s NOT true. Unless you live in specific residential locations served by old, lead pipes, there’s a strong chance your Benton Harbor water is fine. At least, The Wall Street Journal, the latest national publication to come to town, got that right in its recent story:
“Lead levels in Benton Harbor have actually decreased in recent years, according to a report from the state environmental department. The percentage of sample sites with water above the federal lead level standard fell to 14% this year, from 27% in 2018. The percentage of samples with zero lead detected has increased to 33% from 17% during that period, according to the report.”
If you live in one of those “14% homes”, of course there’s every reason to be concerned. But it underlines that Benton Harbor City and Michigan State Health officials are being prudent and cautious in their recommendations that all city residents use bottled water until residential lines are replaced–a project that could take a couple of years or more and cost millions of dollars.
So… what’s all the noise and hub-bub about?
From our perspective, out of town reporters have tried to over-simplify the situation (“the water is bad”) and fallen for the magic word ‘Flint’ because it immediately helps their readers or viewers to relate to the story. If we were writing about a problem in California or Texas (like immigration???), we might make the same error. Oversimplification!
On their second or third visit, which will likely never come, we hope those out-of-town reporters dig a little deeper (as the Wall Street Journal started to) and put the situation in clearer perspective.
However, more than the reporters, we are disappointed and frustrated by politicians–mostly but not exclusively in Lansing and Detroit–who are trying to capitalize on Benton Harbor’s woes. Thankfully, most–but not all– of our local elected representatives have been quiet. And supportive of the efforts by City and State Health Department officials to calm residents’ concerns and assure them of pure drinking water.
This situation is not new. It was not a surprise. Efforts to fix it are suddenly in the spotlight. It seems to us that while ‘outside money’ is clearly needed, ‘outside opinion’ is largely ‘outside interference’ and won’t speed up the solution to the problem. (Politicians–Red and Blue–, that means YOU!)
Test the water frequently.
Supply bottled water to those who need it.
Replace the old pipes ASAP (as other cities have done).
Avoid assigning blame (the old pipes are the problem!)
This isn’t brain surgery. Let’s get on with it!
MOTM Perspective from Managing Editior Gayle Olson
