09/19/2026
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IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION
All City of Kalamazoo Water Customers
E. Coli bacteria was detected at one sample tap
BOIL WATER ADVISORY
LOW and HIGH Pressure Districts ONLY
City of Kalamazoo, September 19, 2026 β E.coli bacteria were found in one sample on September 18, 2026. When bacteria is detected, three repeat samples are collected. One repeat sample was total coliform-positive but did not contain E. coli. The other two repeat samples did not contain bacteria. Because one sample contained E. coli and a repeat sample was positive for total coliform, a violation occurred. A public notice is required for this violation.
As our customers, you have the right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation. These bacteria can make you sick and are of particular concern for people with weakened immune systems. We are now conducting additional sampling to determine the extent of the problem and a thorough investigation to determine the source of the contamination.
The boil water advisory applies only to persons consuming water within the City of Kalamazoo's Low and High pressure districts (see map).
Municipal water customers within the affected area should not drink the water without boiling it first.
Customers should use bottled water or bring tap water to a rolling boil and boil for at least two minutes before using it for drinking, making ice, preparing food, brushing teeth, washing dishes, or other consumptive purposes.
E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely-compromised immune systems.
The City will continue collecting and evaluating water samples and will provide additional information as it becomes available. The drinking water warning will remain in effect until the City determines that the affected water is safe for normal use and the warning can be lifted.
What happened? What is being done?
Further follow up sampling to confirm results and source are being conducted currently. We will inform you when tests show no bacteria and you no longer need to boil your water. We anticipate resolving the problem by 9/22/2026.
For more information and general inquiries, please contact the City of Kalamazoo at 311 or (269) 337-8000 during business hours. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the United States Environmental Protection Agencyβs Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.
For water emergencies, please contact the City of Kalamazoo Water Emergency number at (269) 337-8148
No special precautionary measures are necessary for water used for bathing or showering unless otherwise directed by the City or the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
