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Tests show lead in Benton Harbor tap water finally dropping

The latest round of water sampling marks the first time in three years that the city’s lead levels did not exceed Michigan's standards.

Credit: AP

FILE- In this Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 file photo, Sylvester Bownes walks the nearly one-mile round-trip to the Benton Harbor High School from his home with bottled and jugs full of water Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, in Benton Harbor, Mich. The water system in Benton Harbor, has tested for elevated levels of lead for three consecutive years. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — New test results show that the amount of lead in Benton Harbor’s drinking water has declined.

The latest round of water sampling marks the first time in three years that the majority Black city’s lead levels did not exceed Michigan's standards. But state officials say residents should still use bottled water for basic tasks such as drinking and cooking.

Credit: AP

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 file photo, a lone resident of Benton Harbor, Mich., walks across Britain Street Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, near the city's water tower in Benton Harbor. The water system in Benton Harbor has tested for elevated levels of lead for three consecutive years. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

The Environmental Protection Agency is still studying the effectiveness of at-home lead filters in Benton Harbor.

State officials say preliminary results indicate they're working as designed.

The state provides free bottled water for Benton Harbor’s residents, but picking it up can be time consuming and tasks like cooking can quickly use up personal supplies.

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