KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — The environmental team working on the Parchment PFAS contamination thinks they may have identified the source of the chemical compound, and will obtain samples Tuesday for more tests.
The City of Kalamazoo has completed flushing the system and begun extending a water main toward Parchment, which may cause some traffic disruptions on G Avenue, but officials say it will not affect the water distribution at Parchment High School.
Free bottled water is available from noon until 8 p.m. each day this week at the high school, residents just need to show their I.D. as a proof of residency.
Kalamazoo City utilities director Jim Baker says they will have to do a lot of testing to see if the two systems mesh before giving homeowners the all clear.
He says it may take weeks before the system is back to normal and residents can start using their water again.
Anyone who is familiar with what happened in Flint when they switched the water source can understand why they don’t want any surprises.
In addition, local lawmakers are speaking up about the PFAS sightings throughout the state.
Kalamazoo Democratic State Representative Jon Hoadley says earlier this year, long before PFAS was detected in Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties, he co-sponsored legislation to stiffen standards for PFAS and it has been stuck in committee ever since.
He says he has been impressed with the swift response of local officials to the situation in Parchment, but says unfortunately it’s necessary because of the slow response to environmental threats in Lansing and Washington.
The State of Michigan has identified 11,300 potential sites where PFAS has been used, stored, dumped and exposed to the environment in substantial quantities.
They call that a conservative list.
Overall, Parchment and Cooper Township residents are invited to learn all about the PFAS situation at a meeting on Tuesday.
The forum has become a standard exercise in communities impacted by PFAS, as one way to keep homeowners informed.
Senator Margaret O’Brien says officials will give an update on the water status, give more information on the health impacts of PFAS, and explain their long-term plans as best as they can.
The town hall will take place Tuesday evening at the Haven Reformed Church on North Sprinkle Road with an open house at 5 p.m. and the program beginning at 6 p.m.
Because parking is limited at the church, special Metro buses will be running from St. Ambrose Church to the venue starting at 4:30 p.m.
For security reasons, no large bags, backpacks or signs will be allowed inside Haven Reformed.
Bags and purses may be searched.
