Officials in Benton Harbor, Michigan, announced a state of emergency

​Mary Alice Adams, commissioner-at-large - "(many) may not be aware of the magnitude of these type of problems happening in communities across the country."

The City Commission voted on Monday to enact the state of emergency.

Mayor Marcus Muhammad said he will be the presiding officer dealing with the emergency -- in coordination with state and local leaders.

Michigan governor sign executive directive to help Benton Harbor get access to safe drinking water.

​Benton Harbor residents will be urged to use free bottled water for drinking and cooking for weeks more, until a federal study confirms that filters can work effectively with the city's tap water, Liesl Clark, the head of Michigan's environmental agency, said.  Politics Benton Harbor mayor talks about his city's lead water crisis. But Clark said the ultimate remedy is the replacement of about 6,000 old water lines at homes, a job that could take nearly two years. Nearly $19 million in state and federal money has been set aside, but the goal is $30 million. "High lead level tests in Benton Harbor homes result from the water picking up lead as it moves to the faucets.

​The situation in Benton Harbor is urgent and inexcusable," Clark said. Her remarks to the House Oversight Committee came as Benton Harbor was dealing with yet another water woe: A pipe rupture Wednesday cut off water to virtually the entire community. Mayor Marcus Muhammad told lawmakers that he had only a "bird bath" before driving to Lansing.

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