PARCHMENT (WKZO AM/FM) — Health officials in Kalamazoo County began taking water samples from various parts of the contaminated Parchment system two weeks ago after flushing operations had been underway for just a few days.
They have been taking 5 samples each day since.
The very first test results may be returned this week. But those samples came before homeowners were asked to also flush out their water heaters, plumbing and other fixtures, so health officials may not be prepared to declare that residents can start drinking tap water again, just based on those early results.
If property owners and tenants haven’t flushed out the house or business yet, and the property is connected to the Parchment system, they are advising that it be done right away.
The first of three permanent connections between the Parchment system and the Kalamazoo Water Utility is due to be started up and commissioned this weekend, barring any issues. It’s now designated Station 42. Work on the second station at Park and Orient continues.
Some of the test results from samples extracted from monitoring wells around the Crown Vantage Plant and the firm’s landfill on the other side of the Kalamazoo River, from the homes in the initial contamination study area, and from the Kalamazoo Riiver downstream are expected this week.
It’s only after all the results are returned and analyzed that they will begin to have a clearer idea of just how big the problem really is, and where to test next.
