Michigan to pay volunteers distributing water bottles in Benton Harbor amid water crisis

Volunteers and sites that are distributing bottled water in Benton Harbor will now be paid for their services as the city faces an ongoing elevated lead presence in its drinking water, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Bottled water will continue to be free to residents while the city works to replace all lead service pipes. 

"Benton Harbor residents have stepped up to help one another as the state provides free bottled water to the city to reduce the risk of exposure to lead in their drinking water," the state's Health and Human Services director Elizabeth Hertel said in a statement Thursday. "Ensuring that residents are compensated for their time is a priority for the state and will help ensure a sustainable, long-term solution and is the right thing to do."

Under the new program, volunteers will be called "community ambassadors" and will be paid at a rate of $15 per hour retroactive to October 1. State-supported water bottle distribution sites will be responsible for hiring, managing and paying their workers.