KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — A plume of contamination containing benzene and other toxins is slowly creeping west underground from the West KL Avenue landfill, right at homeowners in Oshtemo.
The county will soon designate the area as a groundwater restricted zone to keep property owners from ever-sinking wells there.
To anyone who has lived in the area for the past 30 years, it’s ancient history. They’ve been on city water for over a decade.
Who made the mess? Practically everyone in the county who used the old dumpsite before laws regulated landfills.
It’s an old problem that has already cost millions to address, only the designation as a restricted zone is new. The county board plans a vote on that proposal in early December.
– John McNeill
