Water Sector News
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There’s PFAS in Kalamazoo’s drinking water. The city needs $51M to address it.
May 14, 2024
KALAMAZOO, MI -- PFAS levels at a Kalamazoo drinking water pumping station on the city’s east side are above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new, enforceable maximum contamination levels.
A $51 million project from the city would bring it back into compliance and protect residents’ health. On Monday, May 20, the City Commission will decide if the city can pursue state funding for the project.
PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are known to cause cancer, liver damage, birth defects and autoimmune diseases. The synthetic chemical is widely used to make products resistant to stains, grease and water. PFOs, PFNAs and PFNBs are just a few of the thousands of PFAS “forever chemicals” that build up in the air, water, soil, fish and wildlife instead of breaking down over time.