KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – While an official public announcement and community celebration is set to take place at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, word has come that the City of Kalamazoo is receiving a $1 million grant for the Kalamazoo Northside Lead Replacement Program.
The grant awarding ceremony will take place at Kalamazoo’s LaCrone Park, located on Paterson Street between North Westnedge Avenue and Cobb Avenue.
Several local and regional dignitaries will be in attendance including Congressman Upton, City of Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson, Kalamazoo County Commissioner Tami Rey, Kalamazoo Township Manager Dexter Mitchell, Kalamazoo County State Rep. Julie Rogers, and Mattie Jordan-Woods, Northside Association for Community Development.
City of Kalamazoo officials say the $1 million grant supports the continuation of a proactive annual capital improvement program that has been in place for more than twenty years to replace lead service lines. Since 2018, the City of Kalamazoo has replaced more than 500 non-copper water services every year; more than 900 were replaced in 2021.
In Kalamazoo, lead service replacements are funded by utility rate payers, the State of Michigan’s Drinking Water Revolving Fund, and the Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence. The project referred to as “North Kalamazoo” includes the area north of Kalamazoo Avenue to the Kalamazoo Township line between Nichols Road and the Kalamazoo River.
The North Kalamazoo project is expected to benefit approximately 2,000 households and businesses in the City of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo Charter Township. Approximately $20 million is being invested to replace all lead service lines in this area, with work completion expected in 2024.
Kalamazoo’s Public Water Supply System is the largest groundwater-based drinking water system in Michigan. The ground water does not contain lead, however lead can enter drinking water when it is in contact with pipes, solder, interior plumbing, fittings, and fixtures that contain lead. There are approximately 7,000 non-copper services which require replacement as of 2022.
“We are moving rapidly to replace these lines,” said James J. Baker, public services director and city engineer in the City of Kalamazoo Department of Public Services. “Progress is moving fast at six LSLRs (lead service line replacement) per day. Completion of this project phase will mean the City of Kalamazoo will have replaced 50 percent of all lead services by the end of 2024. We’re strongly committed to eliminating the danger of lead exposure to water customers as quickly as possible.”
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