PUBLIC SERVICES NEWS Great things are happening all over the City of Kalamazoo. Here are a few highlights, and stay connected by following @kalamazoocity on social media or visiting kalamazoocity.org.
Free Program Helps Reduce Utility Costs and Improves Home Energy Efficiency Kalamazoo water and sewer customers can benefit from a free program to help reduce their bills and make their homes more energy efficient. The City of Kalamazoo is partnering with Consumers Energy and encouraging City utility customers to take advantage of their free Home Energy Analysis Program. Customers can request a free home energy assessment, during which a trained analyst will identify ways to make your home more efficient. You may receive up to $50 of water and energy saving products for free. This may include things like LED light
bulbs, efficient shower heads, or even programmable thermostats for qualifying customers. By making your home more efficient, you could save up to $150 per year. Customers that wish to schedule a Home Energy Analysis can contact Consumers Energy directly by calling (888) 316-8014 or online at consumershomeenergy.com and selecting promo code Kzoo21.
Lead Water Service Replacements Continue with a 2,000-Replacement Project Planned for 2022 In 2020, the City of Kalamazoo replaced 589 lead water services in our system, the most ever in a single year. This number will continue to rise as the City completes a replacement project in the Eastside and Eastwood (Kalamazoo Township) neighborhoods this year, and
A grant from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation will fund major updates to Mountain Home and Jewish Mountain Home Cemeteries (Photo: Scott Harmsen).
plans a 2,000-service project that could start as early as this December. The $20-million project will cover the area north of Kalamazoo Avenue to the Township line between Nichols Rd and the Kalamazoo River. It is expected to be completed in 2023. In addition to these large planned projects, the City of Kalamazoo continues to offer free testing for lead and replaces services as needed based on the results. Kalamazoo’s groundwater-based water system does not have lead present at its source or in water mains. However, lead can enter water when in contact with a lead service line, pipes, solder, or fixtures in a building’s interior plumbing. Free NSF certified filters are available at no charge to customers who have undefined or lead services. More information about the City of Kalamazoo’s commitment to protecting our community from lead is at kalamazoocity.org/lead.
Grant Funding Awarded for Traffic Safety, Cemetery Improvements More than $1.3 million in grant funding has been awarded to the City of Kalamazoo to improve traffic safety and make repairs at Mountain Home and Jewish Mountain Home Cemeteries. The Michigan Department of Transportation has awarded $630,980 to improve safety at more than 30 intersections in 2022. Three separate projects
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