The following policy is in effect for all new municipal water customers that would like to retain their potable water well after being connected to the City of Kalamazoo's Municipal Water System, and shall apply when new wells are installed at properties that are currently connected to the Municipal Water System. This policy is necessary to prevent the backflow of potentially contaminated well water into the municipal water supply that serves approximately 200,000 Kalamazoo County residents.
The City of Kalamazoo will allow homeowners that connect to the City of Kalamazoo Municipal Water System to retain their potable wells consistent with local, state, and federal codes, ordinances, and regulations, pending Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department approval. A well may only be retained if the lateral pipe between the well and house is severed outside the homes foundation and all well equipment (pressure tanks, etc.) are removed from the home prior to or at the time of connection to the Municipal Water System. In no event shall water from more than one source (i.e. the City of Kalamazoo) enter or be plumbed to the same structure, unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer or their authorized representative.
Exceptions to this policy may include, homes that have geothermal wells. If an exception to this policy is approved, a City of Kalamazoo Water Resources Division approved backflow prevention device shall be installed and properly maintained and inspected at the homeowner’s expense. Maintenance and inspection records shall be retained indefinitely by the homeowner and provided to the City upon request.
If you are interested in retaining your well after being connected to the City of Kalamazoo Municipal Water System, please contact the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department and the City of Kalamazoo Water Resources Division for further information and requirements.