While groundwater is plentiful in Kalamazoo County, it is also very vulnerable to contamination from surface spills and leaks. Our actions can directly affect the quality of groundwater. Since groundwater is always moving, even if it is only inches per year, what leaks into the ground at one location could affect someone else's drinking water.

The most numerous identified sources of groundwater contamination in the county are Leaking Underground Storage Tanks and other industrial or commercial sites of point source contamination. Point source contamination refers to a known source or location of the contamination, such as a spill or leak. The Environmental Health Division maps known sites of contamination in Kalamazoo County.

Other contamination threats to our groundwater resource in Kalamazoo County are non-point sources. Non-point source contamination is caused by practices that lead to widespread contamination. It can be caused by numerous small sources of onsite sewage disposal systems, agricultural run-off, road maintenance, and incorrect yard maintenance. Compared with point source contamination, non-point source contamination is diffuse and difficult to identify. Elevated nitrate concentrations are an unfortunate example of non-point source contamination in Kalamazoo County. All of our actions on the surface of the ground may impact groundwater. Learn to protect groundwater and prevent contamination of our drinking water source.

Many factors affect the quality of well water including depth of the well and proximity to surface water bodies. Water quality problems, such as hardness, arsenic, and high iron, are caused by naturally occurring substances. Point of use treatment can be used to minimize the concentration of these substances in household water supplies.

Sites of Concern
There are known sites in Kalamazoo County where groundwater is contaminated. Sources include leaking underground storage tanks, industrial and manufacturing operations, and other spills or leaks. Several properties have land use restrictions prohibiting the installation of water wells due to the residual levels of contaminants. The links below provide maps and lists of known sites of contamination.

The sites of known contamination (listed under Part 201 and 213 of Act 451 of 1994) are constantly being monitored by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and clean up is ongoing. Current lists of Leaking Underground Storage Tank sites and Part 201 sites can be searched on line.

The Environmental Health Division screens all new drinking water well permit applications for proximity to known contamination sites in Kalamazoo County before issuing a permit. Alternative construction or connection to a municipal supply may be required if they are in the vicinity of a contaminated zone.

West KL Avenue Landfill Superfund Site Residential Water Well Sampling
Sampling of the water wells located near the former West KL Avenue Landfill is conducted periodically. These sample results can be viewed by clicking on the link below. This is a large pdf file and downloading times depend on your connection speed.

Partial Chemical and Arsenic Water Quality Information
The link below provides a search for well water quality test results. It allows you to locate reported partial chemistry water quality data in our database by searching specific addresses, a range of addresses, or a combination of township and section. The chemicals analyzed may include nitrate as nitrogen, nitrite as nitrogen, fluoride, chloride, hardness, conductivity, sodium, iron, sulfate, and arsenic. These samples were collected for a variety of reasons, such as a property sale, new construction or routine monitoring.

In the event you need additional information about the results of your search or for other issues resulting from the usage of this search tool, please contact us.

The following table lists the acceptable levels for each of the water quality parameters: