Kalamazoo to Celebrate 5,000th Lead Service Line Replacement on Oct 17
Published on October 07, 2024
A proactive annual capital improvement program to replace lead service lines in the city of Kalamazoo has been in place for over twenty years. City officials are marking a milestone in Kalamazoo’s long-running initiative.
The community will be invited to a community education event to mark the city’s 5,000th lead service replacement at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Edison Neighborhood Association, located at 816 Washington Ave. between Portage St. and Race St. Local, state, and City officials including Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson, representatives from the Edison Neighborhood Association, leaders from local and regional health and environmental organizations, and federal officials including Tom Perez, Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House, are expected to attend.
Since 2017, the City of Kalamazoo has replaced on average more than 500 non-copper water services every year. In Kalamazoo, lead service replacements are funded by utility ratepayers, the State of Michigan’s Drinking Water Revolving Fund, the Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Eliminating the danger of lead exposure to water customers is being done with deliberate speed. That’s our commitment to the region we serve,” said James J. Baker, public services director and city engineer for the City of Kalamazoo.
“We have completed all replacements in the Eastside and Eastwood neighborhoods as well as Parchment,” continued Baker. “In November, we will begin lead service replacements in Edison. We also are working on streets in the city’s Northside Neighborhood as well as in the West Douglas and Fairmont areas, and on the Westside. We plan to complete these areas by this December.”
Kalamazoo’s Public Water Supply System is the largest groundwater-based drinking water system in Michigan. The ground water does not contain lead. Lead, however, can enter drinking water when it is in contact with pipes, solder, interior plumbing, fittings, and fixtures that contain lead.
Kalamazoo provides free lead and copper testing to customers upon request. NSF Certified point-of-use filters are also provided at no charge to homes within the water supply system. Customers are urged to call 311 or (269) 337-8000 for questions about these services or to arrange for free lead sampling. Prioritized lead service line replacement is provided for any home testing above the action level.
The Department of Public Services also has a new web feature available to identify the service line material serving area customers. Customers can click here and type in their address to identify their service line material. More information on Kalamazoo’s ongoing commitment to protecting the community from lead hazards and replacing all lead water service lines can be found here.
October 17 also marks the 10th annual National Day of Advocacy “Imagine a Day Without Water” observance. It is an organized effort to educate the public about water as an essential and invaluable resource, and the importance of water infrastructure investments. A resolution on Imagine a Day Without Water will be read by the Kalamazoo City Commission at its Regular Business Meeting on October 7 and presented to Public Services.