Health Violations Found MI 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority

EPA ID: MI0003525 · 5,000 people served · 4 ZIP codes

Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority carries 3 resolved violations in the five-year EPA record — each has been formally closed, and the supplier, which serves approximately 5,000 people, now meets all applicable federal drinking water standards with no open enforcement activity remaining.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

A · 87
Avg Safety Score
5,000
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
3
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00196 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
4
Contaminants Flagged
$386K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 3 (2024) to 4 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade A

Service Area Demographics

$94,063
Median Household Income
22,875
Service Area Population
8%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
51%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority serves a community with a median household income of $94,063 and an estimated 22,875 residents across its service area. Approximately 51% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 0% of homes in Allegan County, Michigan rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

42 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
28 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 60% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns
Chlorine residual 1 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level) (25% of limit)
0 EPA Limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level)
Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Michigan

City of Davison
5,000 people
B 0 violations
City of Caro
5,029 people
A 5 violations
City of Frankenmuth
4,944 people
A 0 violations
City of Utica
5,059 people
A 3 violations
D 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,400
Water Filtration $200
Total Estimated Cost $1,600

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,600 (one-time) vs. $5,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

KALAMAZOO LAKE SEWER & WATER AUTHORITY (EPA ID: MI0003525) is a community water system in Michigan that serves approximately 5,000 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: A (87/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. All violations have been resolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 18, 2025 Chlorine residual Health-based Resolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
February 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No
Chlorine residual Disinfectant 1 Yes

Health Risk Details

Chlorine (Residual Disinfectant) (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level))

Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels At-risk groups: people with asthma or chemical sensitivities, kidney dialysis patients (water must be dechlorinated).

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), KDF media filter, carbon block filter. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
49453 0.00196 mg/L No N/A
49419 0.001 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by MI or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority (MI0003525) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority water safe to drink?

Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority serve?

Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority serves approximately 5,000 people across 4 ZIP codes in Michigan.

Where does Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
116

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
61
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2025-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 5,000
Reported to Michigan

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority safe to drink?
Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority earns a A safety grade with 3 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Surface Water Treatment Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Chlorine residual. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 3 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority serve?
Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority serves approximately 5,000 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority's water source?
Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00196 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority's service area?
The Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority service area has a median household income of $94,063. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority get its water?
Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority (EPA ID: MI0003525) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Michigan Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority

Get safety alerts for Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority, Michigan

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.