City of Kalamazoo staff updated the Utility Policy Committee October 8 on the review following the September 19 boil water advisory.
Public Works Director James Baker told the committee the advisory followed a lab result showing E. coli in the water system. The state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) issued a violation notice September 28 for the September 19 incident. Baker said it is a Tier 1 violation, which requires public notification within 24 hours, and that the notice acknowledges the city met that requirement. He said the violation will be included in the city’s 2026 annual water quality report, due in July 2027.
Review and next steps
- The city began an after-action review September 29. Baker said it includes focus groups on infrastructure, policies and procedures, public notification and communication, emergency management, managerial capacity and community comments.
- The group meets again October 13. The city plans to submit recommendations to EGLE by October 19.
- EGLE conducted an on-site assessment October 6. Baker said the findings will be summarized to the city when EGLE issues its report.
Sanitary survey
The city received final results of EGLE’s sanitary survey, an on-site review of its infrastructure, on September 30. Baker said it identified deficiencies and recommendations across several areas, including source water, finished water storage, security, treatment and distribution. He said three items remain unresolved: tank hatch covers and gaskets, flooded pits at well stations, and a security improvement plan, which the city will submit to EGLE. He said the city expects minor, non-material updates to its capital improvement plan to address the findings.
Notification changes under review
Baker described several changes the city is pursuing:
- Publishing a searchable GIS map when an advisory covers a large area, so residents can look up their address.
- Adding each customer’s pressure district to their account and bill.
- Building the ability to send email and text notifications. Baker said the city mailed postcards this summer asking customers for updated contact information.
Committee members said the initial notice referred to two pressure districts before a map was available, which caused confusion. One member also asked whether the state rule should be reviewed, citing effects on businesses. Baker said the city has discussed the rule with EGLE.
Advisory versus order
Baker said a boil water advisory is the lowest level of notice, below a boil water order or a do-not-consume order. He said the advisory recommended boiling water as a precaution. Asked about the source of the result, Baker said staff cannot say for certain but believe environmental interference at the sample site is possible.
