Read between lines in this revealing article from the Whirlpool company paper.
This is the beginning of the article - good luck finding the rest on their site.
BENTON TWP. 5/7/08
Board’s resolution says reliability of Benton Harbor system is in doubt
By SCOTT AIKEN and JULIE SWIDWA Herald Palladium
BENTON TOWNSHIP — Concerns about the reliability and capacity of Benton Harbor’s water system have prompted Benton Township officials to begin planning the construction of a new water plant and distribution system.
The township board took an initial step in the process Friday by approving a resolution asking Berrien County for an easement through Rocky Gap Park to build an intake pipe to draw water from Lake Michigan.
The county board is expected to consider the request in the next week or two.
Benton Harbor supplies water to about 20,700 customers, according to a state report. They include 11,218 in the city, 6,700 in Benton Township, 2,700 in the Fairplain section of St. Joseph Township, and 78 in Hagar Township.
In taking action to break from Benton Harbor and build a separate water system, the Benton Township Board said in its resolution that a recent state survey “raised serious concerns” about the city’s ability to reliably provide water. Greg Alimenti, director of utility services, said the city has developed a plan to fix the problems and address needs far into the future.
The survey conducted by the Department of Environmental Quality listed numerous system deficiencies found by inspectors and said the water plant no longer has the capacity to meet peak summer use. The survey of the water system listed 30 areas of deficiency, including nine violations of the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act. It recommended 20 improvements.
The City Commission is seeking $14.5 million in loans to fix or replace equipment, including filters and water clarifiers, to install an emergency generator and correct other problems. Although the city’s water treatment plant is rated at 12 million gallons per day because four filters are out of service, the capacity is limited to 8 million gpd, the DEQ found.
