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
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
|
| Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
| Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
|
| 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.
|
| Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
|
| Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
|
For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
Kalamazoo Water - Frequently Asked Questions
| By Mail: | 241 W SOUTH ST KALAMAZOO, MI, 49007 |
Existing customers can login to their Kalamazoo account to pay their Kalamazoo water bill by clicking here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The estimated price of bottled water
$2 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
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
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
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
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
(10 wellfields) and High (3 wellfields). For more information contact the Public Services Programs Manager at 311 or (269)
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)
The City’s Performance Standards for groundwater and stormwater can be found at
www.kalamazoocity.org/environment and https://protectyourwater.net/
Protecting
OURWater
continued
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
What is a “cross-connection”?
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
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)
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 |
4 |
||
5 |
July |
2 |
||||
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper (ppm) |
1.3 |
0.7 |
Jan |
3 |
||
0.5 |
July |
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
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
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 |
|
|
NO |
|
Discharge and waste from industrial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
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|
|
|
|
facilities; |
|
||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) (ppt) |
|
51 |
|
N/A |
|
4 |
|
|
NO |
|
Firefighting foam; discharge and waste |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
from industrial facilities |
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (ppt) |
|
400,00 |
|
N/A |
|
3.8 |
|
|
NO |
|
Firefighting foam; discharge and waste |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
from industrial facilities |
|
||||||
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Firefighting foam; discharge from |
|
|
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) (ppt) |
|
16 |
|
N/A |
|
5 |
|
|
NO |
|
electroplating facilities; discharge and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
waste from industrial facilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (ppt) |
|
8 |
|
N/A |
|
4 |
|
|
NO |
|
Discharge and waste from industrial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
facilities; |
|
||||||
|
|
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|
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 –
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
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
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
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
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
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
Call (269)
Contact (269)
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)
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)
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.
CONTACTS
Customer Views Welcome
Printed copies of this report are available upon request at (269)
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)
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
Utility |
Water Testing |
Public Services |
Field Services |
Customer |
for Lead & |
Programs |
Section |
Service |
Copper |
Manager |
311 or (269) |
311 or (269) |
(269) |
311 or (269) |
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 |
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pertaining to water |
plumbing components, |
related questions |
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quality |
report clogged catch |
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basins or inlets |
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[call (269) |
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business hours] |
24/7 Water/Sewer |
Illicit Discharge |
Water |
EPA Safe Drinking |
Emergency |
Elimination |
Operations |
Water Hotline |
311 or (269) |
Hotline |
311 or (269) |
(800) |
report an emergency |
311 or (269) |
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) |
Envrionmental |
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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
Sources Cited
Additional 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