The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends every household use a certified lead filter to reduce lead from their drinking water, especially households with:

• A child, or a child frequently visits the home
• A pregnant person
• An individual with high blood pressure,
• People residing in houses built before 1987.

MDHHS also recommends making baby formula or cooking with filtered water.

What to know when buying a filter:

• Look for filters that are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction and NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for particulate reduction (Class I).
• For filters to work properly, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• MDHHS recommends that filter cartridges are replaced every six months

Free Filter distribution is available Monday - Friday at the following locations:

BHSJ CHA, 1110 Hill Street, Three Rivers, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. 

Department of Public Services, 1015 S. Lincoln Ave., Three Rivers 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

To receive a free filter you must be a resident of the City, on the City’s water system, and meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

• Have a child living in the home, or frequently visiting the home, who is under the age of 18
• Have a pregnant person living in the home

And also meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

• A recipient of Medicaid or WIC services
• You attest that you cannot afford to purchase a filter at a store

Bring a driver’s license or photo ID to confirm that you live in the city.

If you have no license or photo ID, please bring a copy of your city water bill. 

Filters will be distributed 1 per household. Houses that have multiple units will be provided 1 filter per apartment unit.

You will receive either a PUR filter that attaches to the end of your standard kitchen faucet, or if you have a spray nozzle at the end of your kitchen faucet, you will receive a BRITA filtering water pitcher.

Replacement filters:

After the initial filter distribution, residents who receive a filter from the Department of Public Services or the Health Agency will need a new cartridge for the filter in six months. After receiving the first replacement cartridge, it is estimated that residents will need replacement cartridges, roughly every 4 months afterward.

How Lead Gets into Drinking Water?

How can I protect myself from lead in water?

• Use a filter for your drinking water. Look for a point-of-use filter labeled NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction and 42 for particulate reduction (Class 1) on the package. Follow the manufacturer's installation and maintenance instructions.
  • PUR Faucet Filter Installation
  • How to use your BRITA pitcher filter
• Get your water moving. Do any of these things to flush your pipes:
  • Run your faucets
  • Take a shower
  • Run a load of laundry
  • Wash dishes
• Clean your faucet's aerator. Pieces of lead can get stuck in the aerator.
• Consider replacing older plumbing, pipes, or faucets. Replace galvanized pipes, pipes with lead solder, and faucets made before 2014.

The information below can assist you to identify the type of water service line you have coming to your home. If you have further questions you can contact City of Three Rivers Department of Public Services at 269-273-1845.

How could lead impact my health?

• Know the Facts About Lead
• Well Fed Means Less Lead
• Adult Exposure to Lead
• Pregnant & Breastfeeding Persons should Know about Lead

Low-income households who do not meet any of the safety net program criteria may seek support for faucet replacement or other lead abatement work from:

• Weatherization and state emergency services. 
• Lead Prevention Fund Loan Program.
• State Emergency Relief Program.
• Emergency Services Fund.
• Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency.
• Harbor Habitat for Humanity.
• U.S. Veterans Affairs.
• Local Community Action Agency, or call 211 for assistance.

Lead exposure can come from many sources including paint in homes built before 1978, dust, soil, drinking water from older plumbing, jobs or hobbies that involve lead, and some imported goods.

If you have questions regarding your health, contact your healthcare provider or Your Local Health Department at 269-273-2161 Option 9.

Blood Lead Level Testing

All children who are at risk for lead exposure should be tested for lead poisoning. Some children are more likely to be exposed to lead than others. These include children who:

• live or spend time in a house or building built before 1978
• are from low-income households
• are immigrants, refugees, or recently adopted from less developed countries
• live or spend time with someone who works with lead or has hobbies that expose them to lead

Children enrolled in Medicaid are required to get tested for lead at ages 12 and 24 months, or age 24–72 months if they have no record of ever being tested.

Pregnant women should also be tested if they are concerned about lead exposure.

City of Three Rivers residents who get water from the city's system can call our office at 269-273-2161 to schedule an appointment for testing.

Additional information about lead is located here.