Layer 1

Is Kalamazoo Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 31, 2022
+

Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Kalamazoo?

Yes, Kalamazoo's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Kalamazoo has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Kalamazoo's water utility, Kalamazoo, had 1 health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Kalamazoo was resolved on Dec. 31, 2019. This assessment is based on the Kalamazoo water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Kalamazoo Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Kalamazoo tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Kalamazoo's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Kalamazoo Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Kalamazoo for Kalamazoo in Michigan. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

From July 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019, Kalamazoo had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Treatment Technique Violation, more specifically, the violation code was WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Lead and Copper Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Lead and Copper Rule.

From Jan. 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019, Kalamazoo had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Treatment Technique Violation, more specifically, the violation code was WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Lead and Copper Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Lead and Copper Rule.

From July 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2018, Kalamazoo had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Treatment Technique Violation, more specifically, the violation code was WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Lead and Copper Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Lead and Copper Rule.

From Jan. 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018, Kalamazoo had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Treatment Technique Violation, more specifically, the violation code was WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Lead and Copper Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Lead and Copper Rule.

Is there Lead in Kalamazoo Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Kalamazoo water system, Kalamazoo, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.013 mg/L of lead in Kalamazoo water. This is 86.7% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Kalamazoo contained more lead.

While Kalamazoo water testing may have found 0.013 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Kalamazoo Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Ft Custer - near Kalamazoo with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Kalamazoo has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Kalamazoo SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
07/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 Resolved Yes Treatment Technique Violation (TT) WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance (59) Lead and Copper Rule (350) Lead and Copper Rule (5000) Chemicals (300) Lead and Copper Rule (350)
01/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 Resolved Yes Treatment Technique Violation (TT) WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance (59) Lead and Copper Rule (350) Lead and Copper Rule (5000) Chemicals (300) Lead and Copper Rule (350)
07/01/2018 - 12/31/2018 Resolved Yes Treatment Technique Violation (TT) WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance (59) Lead and Copper Rule (350) Lead and Copper Rule (5000) Chemicals (300) Lead and Copper Rule (350)
01/01/2018 - 06/30/2018 Resolved Yes Treatment Technique Violation (TT) WQP Entry Point/Tap Treatment Technique Non-Compliance (59) Lead and Copper Rule (350) Lead and Copper Rule (5000) Chemicals (300) Lead and Copper Rule (350)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Kalamazoo Water - Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS A “CROSS-CONNECTION”?
Cross-connections are arrangements of piping or appurtenances through which a backflow of undesirable material could enter the potable (drinking) water system.
WHAT IS A “BACKFLOW”?
Backflow is water flowing in the opposite direction of its normal flow. Backflow can allow contaminants to enter the drinking water system through cross-connections. The undesirable material may come from sources connected to your own home or facility’s internal or external plumbing. A backflow in the water system can be created in areas that experience a sudden loss of pressure. Pressure changes can occur as a result of water main breaks, fire department usage, or during times of hydrant flushing. If any of these conditions occur in your area, you should flush your lines before using the water to minimize iron particles and other undesirable impurities that may be present. Flush your taps by starting in your restroom facility or utility sink and working out towards your food service area.
HOW DO I CONTACT KALAMAZOO CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Kalamazoo water provider, Kalamazoo, please use the information below.
By Mail: 241 W SOUTH ST
KALAMAZOO, MI, 49007
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR KALAMAZOO
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Kalamazoo account to pay their Kalamazoo water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Kalamazoo bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Kalamazoo water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Kalamazoo water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP KALAMAZOO WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Kalamazoo means you will often need to put the water in your name with Kalamazoo. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Kalamazoo means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Kalamazoo. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

The estimated price of bottled water

$2 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Kalamazoo tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 4% Very Low
  • Water Pollution 50% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 96% Very High
  • Water Quality 50% Moderate

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Kalamazoo, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Kalamazoo Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Kalamazoo's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

2020 Water

Quality

Report

The City of Kalamazoo provides its customers with information about the quality of our drinking water each year in a Water Quality Report (sometimes referred to as a Consumer Confidence Report). Much of the information provided in this report, along with

the additional monitoring and testing conducted throughout the year, is beyond what is required by the Safe Drinking Water Act and is provided as an extra service to our customers.

The 2020 water quality data in this report demonstrates that the water we provide

to our customers exceeds the standards established by federal and state regulations.

ON THE COVER

Award Winning Water

Storage Facility Project!

See page 2 for details.

The

Kalamazoo

Water Supply

System

Kalamazoo’s New Award Winning Storage Facility

DID YOU KNOW that the Kalamazoo Water Supply System is the Largest Groundwater System in Michigan?

Your Drinking

Water Source

The City of Kalamazoo Public Water Supply System is the largest groundwater-based drinking water system and the fifth largest water utility in Michigan. It is also ranked among the lowest for water rates out of the 50 largest systems within the state.

Our system utilizes limited treatment through chlorine, fluoride, and phosphate additives.

Two stations are equipped with water purification

THIS REPORT summarizes our efforts and commitment to provide safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water. Our facilities operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are monitored continuously both on and off site by qualified, trained and licensed personnel.

2020 Kalamazoo Water Facts

STORAGE: 10 water storage facilities with 17.8 million gallons of treated water storage capacity

and iron removal capabilities.

The City of Kalamazoo’s new 2.5-million gallon water storage facility was recognized as the 2020 project of the year by the Southwest Branch of the

Michigan Chapter of the American

Public Works Association (APWA), and the 2021 Project of the Year by the Michigan Chapter of the APWA. The project was a joint

effort between the City of Kalamazoo,

Jones & Henry

SOURCES:

  • 13 active wellfields
  • 13 point of entry treatment facilities
  • 94 wells
  • 19 million gallons per day produced on average
  • 38 million gallons per day maximum in 2020
  • 46 million gallons per day of treatment capacity

DISTRIBUTION:

  • 196,292 customers served
  • Service in 11 jurisdictions
  • 838 miles of water main
  • Approximately 7000 hydrants
  • 11 pressure service districts

Engineers, Ltd, McDermott – CB&I,

and Hoffman Bros. Inc.

The tower’s artwork cele- brates the Kalamazoo Promise, which covers college tuition for graduates of Kalama- zoo Public Schools.

Upcoming Improvements for 2021

The City of Kalamazoo has planned a systematic Multi-Year Capital Improvement Program to continue our mission of providing high quality drinking water in compliance with all regulatory requirements. This program will include upgrades to existing pipes, new water main construction, new water storage facilities, additional lead service replacements, and new iron and PFAS removal capabilities.

Stormwater Management
Wellhead
Protection
Kalamazoo’s Groundwater

Protecting

OURWater

Nearly half of the U.S. population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply.

In Kalamazoo County, the source of drinking water is groundwater. Groundwater exists underground in pore spaces between sand and gravel particles. Groundwater is relatively abundant, easy to extract, and generally lacks harmful bacteria. However, it can also be vulnerable to

contamination from spills, leaks, or dumping of harmful substances to the ground.

The City of Kalamazoo has a Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) approved Wellhead Protection Program. The City was awarded the national Exemplary Source Water Protection Award by the American Water Works Association, the Michigan

Wellhead Protection Program Award multiple times, and the Michigan “Richard Husby Public Awareness Award” for its Wellhead Protection Program education efforts. Since 1998, the Groundwater Foundation has designated Kalamazoo as a Groundwater Guardian Community.

Kalamazoo’s Wellhead Protection website www.protectyourwater.net has specific educational information about its Water System, related ordinances, fun activities, links to other websites, and resources for groundwater and other resource water issues.

EGLE performed Source Water Assessments to assess the susceptibility of all public water supply sources to contamination. The susceptibility rating is on a six-tiered scale from “very low” to “high” based primarily on geologic sensitivity, water chemistry, well construction and contaminant sources. The susceptibility rating of the City’s (current) 13 wellfields is: Moderate (2 wellfields), Moderate High

(10 wellfields) and High (3 wellfields). For more information contact the Public Services Programs Manager at 311 or (269) 337-8000.

The City of Kalamazoo has separate sewer systems for sanitary and stormwater. Stormwater is rainwater or snowmelt runoff from streets and parking lots that collects in open grated catch basins and inlets, and drains directly to the Kalamazoo River, creeks, lakes or ponds. It

is important to keep oils, grease, fuels, chemicals, lawn fertilizer, grass clippings, trash and debris from getting on our streets and parking lots. Remember – what gets to the street, gets to the creek!

Since groundwater and surface water are generally interconnected, your efforts to protect one may positively impact the other. Visit www.protectyourwater.net/stormwater or contact the Public Services Programs Manager at 311 or (269) 337-8000 to learn more regarding stormwater quality.

The City’s Performance Standards for groundwater and stormwater can be found at

www.kalamazoocity.org/environment and https://protectyourwater.net/

Protecting

OURWater

continued

CROSS-CONNECTIONS

A backflow in the water system can be created in areas that experience a sudden loss of pressure.

As a City of Kalamazoo drinking water supply customer, you can help ensure that the water you are drinking within your home and business remains safe. Prevent cross-connections with the City of Kalamazoo’s water supply by ensuring that all backflow prevention devices are installed, inspected and properly maintained by licensed and certified plumbers as required by state and local plumbing codes.

What is a “cross-connection”?

Cross-connections are arrangements of piping or appurtenances through which a backflow of undesirable material could enter the potable (drinking) water system.

What is a “backflow”?

Backflow is water flowing in the opposite direction of its normal flow. Backflow can allow contaminants to enter the drinking water system through cross-connections.

The undesirable material may come from sources connected to your own home or facility’s internal or external plumbing. A backflow in the water system can be created in areas that experience a sudden loss of pressure. Pressure changes can occur as a result of water main breaks, fire department usage, or during times of hydrant flushing.

If any of these conditions occur in your area, you should flush your lines before using the water to minimize iron particles and other undesirable impurities that may be present. Flush your taps by starting in your restroom facility or utility sink and working out towards your food service area.

Help prevent cross-connections:

  • Do not submerge hoses in buckets, pools, tubs, sinks or process tanks.
  • Do not use spray attachments without a back- flow prevention device. The chemicals used on your lawn are toxic and can be fatal if ingested.
  • Do buy and install backflow prevention devices (hose bib vacuum breakers) for all threaded faucets around your home or business. They are inexpensive and available at hardware stores and home-improvement centers.
  • Never install sprinkler systems, fire suppression systems, or boilers with chemical additives without proper backflow prevention devices.
  • Ensure that your softener drain line has an air gap between the drain line and the receiving drain.
  • Residential and Commercial establishments connected to the municipal water system must properly abandon all water wells onsite and provide abandonment information to the City of Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo Environmental Community Health Department.

Learn more about PFAS at www.protectyourwater.net/pfas/

Hazardous Materials

A toxic product dumped on the ground or down a storm drain can contaminate our drinking water and surface waters and is strictly prohibited by law.

EDUCATIONAL MARKERS

The City of Kalamazoo partnered with Kalamazoo County and community members to place 100 new educational markers on public storm drains within the City of Kalamazoo. The City of Kalamazoo stormwater sewer system discharges directly

to local water bodies. The goal of the project is to bring community awareness to the stormwater municipal drainage system in an effort to stop preventable pollutants from getting into local surface water.

Help prevent pollutants from entering groundwater or surface water features by taking unused hazardous household chemicals to the Kalamazoo County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center, located

at 1301 Lamont Avenue, off Lake Street next to the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds. Contact the center at (269) 373-5211 or view their website at www.kalcounty.com/hhw for more information. Unused prescription drug disposal locations and hours are listed at www.kalcounty.com/hhw/med-disposal.htm.

PFAS Tests for Kalamazoo Municipal Drinking Water Continue to Show Results Within Safe Drinking Water Guidelines

PFAS levels at water pumping stations serving the Kalamazoo municipal drinking water have been consistently within the safe drinking water guidelines, set by the Environmental Protection Agency, and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The City of Kalamazoo will continue to conduct routine PFAS testing at each pumping station in addition to any state or federal mandated monitoring to maintain oversight of the water supply system and ensure public health.

2020 WATER QUALITY DATA

Regulated Contaminant

MCL

MCLG

 

Level Detected

 

Results Range

 

Violation

 

 

 

Yes/No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate (ppm)

 

10

 

1.6

 

ND - 1.6

 

No

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barium (ppm) (2019)

2

2

 

0.13

 

0.09-0.13

 

No

 

Selenium (ppm) (2019)

0.05

0.05

 

0.002

 

ND - 0.002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulated Contaminant

MCL

MCLG

 

Highest

 

Results Range

 

Violation

 

Annual Average

 

 

Yes/No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arsenic (ppb)

 

NA

 

8.4

 

ND - 8.4

 

No

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride (ppm)

4

4

 

0.85

 

0.29 - 0.96

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trichloroethene (ppb)

5

0

 

0.70

 

ND - 0.76

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cis-1,2- Dichloroethylene (ppb)

70

70

 

0.62

 

ND - 1.3

 

No

 

1.2- Dichloroethane (ppb)

5

0

 

0.25

 

ND - 0.7

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulated Contaminant

MRDL

MRDLG

Highest Running

Results Range

Violation

Annual Average

Yes/No

 

 

 

 

Chlorine (ppm)

4

4

1.2

ND - 3.14

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (ppb)

60

NA

23.9

12.7 - 29

No

 

Total Trihalomethanes (ppb)

80

NA

38.5

12 - 41

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Monitoring and

Unregulated Contaminant*

Sodium (ppm)*

Contaminant subject to AL

Highest Level

Detected

100

Action 90th

Level Percentile

Results Range

 

Average Result 2020

6.1 - 100

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

Sample Date

 

Number of

Range

Samples above AL

of Results

 

Lead (ppb)**

15

8

Jan 1-June 30, 2020

4

0-45

5

July 1-Dec 31, 2020

2

0-73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper (ppm)

1.3

0.7

Jan 1-June 30, 2020

3

0-1.9

0.5

July 1-Dec 31, 2020

2

0-2.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UCMR

TESTING

2018 &

2019

Analyte

 

Units

 

Lowest

 

Highest

 

Average

 

Violation

 

 

 

 

 

Yes/No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germanium μg/L

 

μg/L

 

ND

 

0.370

 

0.122

 

N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manganese μg/L

 

μg/L

 

ND

 

261

 

256

 

N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o-Toluidine μg/L

 

μg/L

 

ND

 

0.562

 

0.036

 

N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Haloacetic Acids (5) μg/L

 

μg/L

 

10.60

 

18.82

 

15.01

 

N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Haloacetic Acids (6) μg/L

 

μg/L

 

12.98

 

21.60

 

17.62

 

N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Haloacetic Acids (9) μg/L

 

μg/L

 

16.70

 

26.80

 

22.23

 

N

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. Monitoring helps EPA to determine where certain contaminants occur and whether it needs to regulate those contaminants.

Typical Source of Contamination

Runoff from fertilizer use, leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits

Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; discharge

from electrical aerospace and defense industries

Typical Source of Contamination

Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff from glass and electronics production wastes

Erosion of natural deposits; water additive that promotes strong teeth;

discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

Dishcharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories

Discharge from industrial chemical factories

Typical Source of Contamination

Water additive used to control microbes

By-product of drinking water disinfection

Typical Source of Contamination

Erosion of natural deposits

Typical Source of Contamination

Lead service lines, corrosion of household plumbing including fittings and fixtures; Erosion of natural deposits

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits

The City of Kalamazoo was in compliance for all treatment techniques in 2020

2020 PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) MONITORING

 

 

 

MCL, TT,

 

MCLG or

 

Highest

 

Results

 

Violation

 

 

 

 

Regulated Contaminant

 

 

 

Running Annual

 

 

 

Typical Source of Contaminant

 

 

 

or MRDI

 

MRDLG

 

 

Range

 

Yes/No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) (ppt)

 

420

 

N/A

 

9.8

 

ND-13

 

NO

 

Discharge and waste from industrial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

facilities; stain-resistant treatments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) (ppt)

 

51

 

N/A

 

4

 

ND-4

 

NO

 

Firefighting foam; discharge and waste

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from industrial facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (ppt)

 

400,00

 

N/A

 

3.8

 

ND-4

 

NO

 

Firefighting foam; discharge and waste

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from industrial facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Firefighting foam; discharge from

 

 

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) (ppt)

 

16

 

N/A

 

5

 

ND-8

 

NO

 

electroplating facilities; discharge and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

waste from industrial facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (ppt)

 

8

 

N/A

 

4

 

ND-4

 

NO

 

Discharge and waste from industrial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

facilities; stain-resistant treatments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water

Quality

Data Table

ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS

DEFINITIONS

More than 30,000 tests were performed on our drinking water in 2020, and the City of Kalamazoo met or exceeded all state and federal drinking water standards.

The City of Kalamazoo monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to federal

and state laws. The table is based on analyses conducted in 2020 and those tests conducted less frequently than once per year. The Water Quality Data Table lists only the contaminants that were detected. If the test was not performed in 2020, then the most recent analysis is listed. The City of Kalamazoo’s state certified laboratory analyzes for the absence of microorganisms and levels of limited treatment chemicals (hexametaphosphate, orthophosphate, fluoride, and residual chlorine) in the City’s water supply at several locations three to five days per week. All limited treatment chemicals are on automated feed control systems that are monitored 24/7 by City of Kalamazoo staff.

AL (Action Level) – The concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

Contaminant – A biological, chemical, physical, or radiological substance or matter in water.

MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal) – The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety.

MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) – The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL’s are set as close to MCLG’s as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MEETING EPA STANDARDS

MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant

Level) – The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal) – The level of a drinking water disinfection below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLG’s do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

ND – Non-detected

pCi/L (Picocuries per Liter) – A measure of radioactivity.

PPB – Part per billion; the equivalent of one microgram per Liter.

PPM – Part per million; the equivalent of one milligram per Liter.

Trihalomethanes – Compounds formed during the chlorination (disinfection) of drinking water.

NA – Not Applicable

Monitoring for Unregulated Contaminants –

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) federal regulations affecting monitoring of unregulated contaminants at public water systems are known as the Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule (UCMR). The purpose of monitoring for unregulated contaminants in drinking water is to provide data to support the EPA administrator’s decisions concerning whether or not to regulate these contaminants in the future for the protection of public health.

While your drinking water meets EPA’s standards for arsenic, it does contain low levels. EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the cost of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.

ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION – Sources of drinking water for both tap water and bottled water can include rivers, lakes, streams, pond reservoirs, springs and wells.

As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally – occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick-up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

  • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife
  • Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming
  • Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
  • Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems
  • Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses health risks. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection are available from the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Water Quality Reports from previous years

are available on the City of Kalamazoo’s website at www.kalamazoocity.org/waterqualityreport.

THE CITY OF

KALAMAZOO’S

Lead and

Copper

PROGRAM

Congratulations to our Lead Service Replacement Team for their hard work in 2020.

The City of Kalamazoo is committed to providing safe and reliable drinking water to Kalamazoo and its surrounding communities and has been consistently in compliance with the 1991 Safe Drinking Water Act Lead and Copper Rule and all revisions of the rule.

Kalamazoo Drinking Water

The City of Kalamazoo does not have lead in its water mains or wells. However, lead can enter drinking water when it is in contact with pipes, solder, home/building interior plumbing, fittings and fixtures that contain lead.

Safe Water Treatment

The City has utilized a corrosion control program since 1956 that works to reduce water corrosiveness to pipes, fittings and fixtures containing lead and copper. To ensure an optimized strategy, the City of Kalamazoo performs routine monitoring of corrosion control parameters within the water distribution system and testing for lead and copper in customers’ homes. Our Public Services Department periodically evaluates the most effective corrosion control methods available and additional ways to further enhance this program.

Lead Service Replacement

A proactive annual capital improvement program has been in place for over twenty years to address lead service replacements. In 2020 Kalamazoo replaced 589 non-copper services with funding from the Foundation for Excellence, Michigan’s Drinking Water Revolving Fund Program, and the City of Kalamazoo’s Capital Improvements Projects program. Lead service replacements are continuing in 2021 and beyond.

Lead and Copper Monitoring

The City of Kalamazoo conducted two lead and copper monitoring programs in 2020 to comply with federal and state lead and copper regulations. These programs target homes that are likely to have the highest concentrations of lead in their drinking water and include those with lead service lines as well as homes with copper plumbing built before lead solder was outlawed in the late 1980s. Kalamazoo did not exceed the EPA Action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead or 1300 ppb for copper. Results of the testing can be found in the 2020 Water Quality Data table on pages 6-7.

There are currently 3,017 known lead services, 5,860 service lines of unknown material, and 41,669 total service lines. The City of Kalamazoo is conducting a thorough inventory throughout the year and any updates to these numbers will be listed in future Water Quality Reports.

Our Commitment to Service

Kalamazoo has provided free lead and copper testing to customers for over 25 years. Lead filters are also provided at no charge to homes with a lead or un-defined service line.

Call (269) 337-8550 if you have any questions about these services.

Contact (269) 337-8550 to arrange for free lead sampling

For help finding out if you have lead service lines in your home, you can contact the City’s Department of Public Services Field Services Division at 311 or (269) 337-8000.

Health Effects

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Infants and children who drink water containing lead could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Kalamazoo is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in household plumbing components. If you have a service line that is lead, galvanized

previously connected to lead, or unknown but likely to be lead, it is recommended that you run your water for at least 5 minutes to flush water from both your home plumbing and the lead service line. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Please contact the City of Kalamazoo Laboratory Supervisor at (269) 337-8550 for testing. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson’s Disease should consult their personal doctor.

If you have a service line that is lead, galvanized previously connected to lead, or unknown but likely to be lead, it is recommended that you run your water for at least 5 minutes to flush water from both your home plumbing and the lead service line.

Boil Water Advisories & Orders

CONTACTS

Customer Views Welcome

Printed copies of this report are available upon request at (269) 337-8000

If you are interested in learning more, have questions on the contents of the report or would like to comment on water issues, please feel free to contact the Public Services Programs Manager at 311 or (269) 337-8000. Contact information is listed below for issues related to water.

If you would like to address issues in a public forum, the City of Kalamazoo Commission meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall at 241 West South Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007. We will update this report annually and keep you informed of any new developments or significant issues that occur throughout the subject-reporting year.

Utility

Water Testing

Public Services

Field Services

Customer

for Lead &

Programs

Section

Service

Copper

Manager

311 or (269) 337-8000

311 or (269) 337-8000

(269) 337-8550

311 or (269) 337-8000

report a water main

opening or closing

arrange to have your

questions regarding the

break, get assistance

accounts, billing,

home or businesses

Water Quality Report

determining if your

payments, meter

water tested for free

and laboratory data

property has lead

readings, leaks, or other

 

pertaining to water

plumbing components,

related questions

 

quality

report clogged catch

 

 

 

basins or inlets

 

 

 

[call (269) 337-8148 after

 

 

 

business hours]

24/7 Water/Sewer

Illicit Discharge

Water

EPA Safe Drinking

Emergency

Elimination

Operations

Water Hotline

311 or (269) 337-8000

Hotline

311 or (269) 337-8000

(800) 426-4791

report an emergency

311 or (269) 337-8000

report any issues with

information and

outside of normal

report illegal dumping

water quality

guidelines from the

business hours

of chemical or hazard

(call (269) 337-8148 after

Envrionmental

 

materials

business hours)

Protection Agency

Boil Water Adviso- ries (BWAs) are most commonly issued when a significant temporary loss of pressure to a defined area occurs or had a reasonable potential to have occurred due to a water infrastruc-

ture break, repair, or replacement. BWAs may be issued before a planned/scheduled repair or infra- structure replacement, or issued under emergency conditions, such as a water main break or when other water infrastructure is severely damaged.

Although rare, BWAs can be issued under a variety of other situations, such as an act of vandalism, terrorism, or a known or unknown source of contamination in the water system. Please note that the BWA will

always describe the specific area affected, contact numbers, and any appropriate directions, such as boiling your water. The vast majority of these BWAs are precautionary and issued without any evidence of contamination.

More information on Boil Water Advisories and customer communications is available at:

https://www.kalamazoocity.org/bwa

The City of Kalamazoo | 241 West South Street | Kalamazoo, MI 49007

hello@kalamazoocity.org | www.kalamazoocity.org

Contaminants


Kalamazoo

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 150000
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Groundwater
  • Total: 16

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Arsenic
  • Nitrate
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
  • Vinyl chloride

Other Detected Contaminants

  • 1%2C2-Dichloroethane
  • 1%2C4-Dioxane
  • Barium
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • cis-1%2C2-Dichloroethylene
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Molybdenum
  • Strontium
  • Trichloroethylene
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

'

If you have never tasted tap water, you may not know what to expect. You may assume that it is something you want to stay away from, as it can contain bacteria and other organisms which are not pleasant for you. However, if you are able to find a quality water filtration system for your home, you can be certain that you will never have to taste tap water again.

The Kalamazoo-based AquaTek company has created one of the most powerful filtration systems available. This system was designed by experts to clean the water of all contaminants including chlorine and lead. It also uses ion exchange to remove heavy metals and microbes. This system can clean your tap water for about sixty days at a time and is highly effective at eliminating harmful elements.

Most tap water today contains lead and other harmful elements, which can actually cause harm to your health. These contaminants can come from your drinking source, such as the tap water that comes from your

Layer 1
Layer 1
Layer 1
Layer 1