As the city of Benton Harbor begins an 18 month effort to replace all of its lead water service lines, it’s announced it’s now taking bids from contractors who can help. The city tells us more:
The City of Benton Harbor is announcing today that a Request for Proposals (RFP) for lead service line replacement work has been released and posted online for potential bidders; it is now available through the city’s website, www.bhcity.us. The State of Michigan is assisting with sending out information about the RFP to multiple potential bidders and the RFP will also be posted at https://www.abonmarche.com/bids/
Bids shall be made out to City of Benton Harbor, Office of the City Clerk, 200 E. Wall Street, Benton Harbor, MI, 49022, until 10:00 am local time on December 17, 2021, at which time and place said bids will be opened publicly. Contracts are expected to be issued in January, with work beginning as soon as ground conditions will allow.
The replacement work will consist of replacing the estimated 4,000 lead service lines in the city by May 2023. It will involve replacing the lead service line from the city’s water main to the curb stop, the curb stop to the first shutoff valve in the home – 18” inside the home – or both. The lead or galvanized pipe lines will be replaced with copper lines.
It is important to note because scams are possible that residents and homeowners are not being billed for the replacement work. The work is being done at no cost to residents and homeowners. A Right of Entry form will need to be signed by the homeowner to authorize the work to be conducted on private property. All contractors conducting the work will be clearly identified and will be required to follow all health and safety protocols.
The work outlined in the bid package is divided into 12 zones. Contractors can bid on as many zones as they have the capacity to complete by the May 2023 deadline. Work in ALL zones will be conducted on a street-to-street basis at the same time to speed up the replacement timeline.
For more information about the actions taking place in Benton Harbor and how to reduce your potential exposure to lead, please visit the state’s website at https://www.michigan.gov/mileadsafe/0,9490,7-392-109022—,00.html.
