KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo officials say they are implementing measures to address an increased occurrence of water main breaks and Boil Water Advisories throughout the city.
The city’s regional water system typically averages 80 to 100 water main breaks per year with 68 water main breaks in 2024.
From the beginning of the year through February, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Services has so far experienced more than 70 water main breaks.
“Our crews are working overtime, and we are prioritizing our response to water main breaks while focusing on getting the break fixed and water service restored,” said James J. Baker, public services director and city engineer for the City of Kalamazoo.
“Most of these breaks and most of our overall break history are from pipes in the 62- to 85-year-old age range, specific to cast iron pipe. The breaks are caused by external corrosion brittle fatigue failure and the inability of the pipe to support beam loads during movements in soil. The soil moves both vertically and horizontally in response to developing and retreating frost.”
The City of Kalamazoo is required by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to issue a Boil Water Advisory anytime the water pressure within a pipe segment is reduced below 20 pounds per square inch. In response to water main breaks, Public Services must shut down and isolate sections of pipe to make repairs to reduce the water pressure within the localized area.
Baker says his department is combating water main breaks through implementing an aggressive capital improvement program to replace water mains in coordination with the City’s streets projects when that water main meets age, material, and break history evaluation metrics.
“We replaced over eight miles of water main in 2024, and we are planning to replace 2.7 miles of water main this year,” said Baker.
“We also are doing water main lining where a new fiberglass reinforced plastic is placed within an existing water main. We have a project in the Knollwood Neighborhood that begins this spring and will line 1.7 miles of pipe.”
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