Kalamazoo focuses on 2 pump stations to meet new federal PFAS standards

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Kalamazoo is asking the state for $51 million to help get rid of PFAS from its water on the city’s east side.

The move is in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s first nationwide PFAS standards announced last month. By 2029, communities must implement solutions that reduce PFAS levels to under 4 parts per trillion. Public water systems have three years to test for PFAS in their system. The EPA estimates its regulation will prevent PFAS exposure in 100 million people and prevent thousands of deaths.

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PFAS, a class of manmade chemicals that has been found in a number of products for heat resistance and waterproofing, has been linked to various forms of cancer and other diseases. Scientists are still investigating its health effects.

Kalamazoo has 15 water pump stations. Just one of them, Pump Station 14, must be fixed by 2029. Its water is just barely over the federal government’s new PFAS limit at 4.2 ppt.

James Baker, the public services director for the city of Kalamazoo, says residents have nothing to fear in the meantime.

“Michigan residents are protected, Kalamazoo residents are protected and we’re just looking toward the future and we’re going to plan and invest in infrastructure,” Baker said.

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The city came up with a $110 million project that will not only treat and replace Pump Station 14, but also rebuild another station on the city’s east side, Pump Station 5. Pump Station 5 poses a risk because it’s less than 1,000 feet from a PFAS contamination site, a former manufacturing site along the Kalamazoo River. Tests showed the groundwater there flows toward the river.

Baker stressed the water is fine, as it meets Michigan’s standard as well as current federal standards. But city leaders felt it was important to take action now to prepare for the future when the EPA standard goes into effect.

“We’re being proactive,” Baker said. “We know in 2029 those standards are going to be lowered, so we’re being proactive.”

Pump Station 5 is also 110 years old and due for a replacement, Baker said.

“When we build these new stations, we’re not building them for one to two years out, we’re building these for the next generation,” Baker said. “That’s really what this is about. This is about investing in infrastructure and planning for that next generation.”

The project would also improve water quality overall by extending water mains in Richland and Ross townships and replacing lead service lines.

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On Monday, the city commission asked the state to cover the cost of the project through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, a low-interest loan financing program administered by the state. The city is also pursuing grants and principal forgiveness plans to help finance the plan.

The city won’t know until September if it will get the money. If it is unsuccessful, it intends to pursue other avenues of funding and potentially reapply to the state the following year. If all options are exhausted, the city may have to do the project on its own and raise the community’s water rates by an estimated $8 a month.

“We’re not saying that’s what we’re doing,” Baker said. “I think we’ve got some decisions to make in September when we understand where we’re at.”

If everything goes according to plan, the city plans to finish rebuilding the water pump stations by 2028.

Baker stresses that in the meantime, east side residents should feel comfortable drinking their water.

“Everything is fine,” he said. “We have nothing but the utmost confidence in the water system.”

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