City of Parchment

269.349.3785

NEWS

Hydrant Flushing in Parchment

Contacts:        James J. Baker, PE – Public Services Director – 269-337-8148

HYDRANT FLUSHING – September 3, 2021, Kalamazoo – The Public Services Department will begin hydrant flushing on September 19, 2021 and will continue through September 28, 2021.  Most flushing will take place at night between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Day flushing may take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. when necessary.

Public Services Department personnel will flush the hydrants and mains to remove accumulated sediments.  Flushing does not affect the safety of the water supply.  Tap water may appear cloudy or discolored immediately after flushing.  If you notice cloudy or discolored water, please run your cold water until it runs clear again.

Periodic flushing is necessary to get rid of deposits that form inside the water mains.  Over time, sediment builds up on the inside of water distribution pipes, narrowing the path that water can flow through to individual homes and businesses.  Flushing stirs up water in the mains and forces water and sediments out.  By widening the path that water can flow through the mains, the flushing program will improve water flow, to better meet the needs of the community.  The flushing program also allows staff to verify that all water supply systems are working correctly such as pumps, storage tanks, mains, valves, and hydrants.

 

If you have scheduled construction or maintenance projects during this time, please call 3-1-1 or 269-337-8000.

Household Hazardous Waste – Saturday Collections

The Household Hazardous Waste collection site at 1301 Lamont Avenue will have three more Saturday collections in 2021, from 8am – 12pm:

October 9

November 13

December 11

If you have any questions, please call their facility at 269.383.8741

NEW RESEARCH STUDY

Researchers at Michigan State University are now enrolling participants in a new research study that will help understand whether access to clean drinking water in Parchment and Cooper Township is enough to reduce PFAS exposure to ‘normal’. Participants will receive up to $50 and free PFAS testing without leaving their homes. Visit the PFAS UNITEDD website (https://www.pfasunitedd.org/michigan-study) to learn more and sign up!

MDHHS Announces Launch of New PFAS Health Study in Impacted West Michigan Communities

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is launching the Michigan PFAS Exposure and Health Study (MiPEHS) to learn more about the relationship between PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and health among residents who have been exposed to various levels of PFAS in their drinking water. The study will take place between 2020 and 2026 in Parchment and Cooper Township in Kalamazoo County and the Belmont and Rockford areas of Kent County.

All eligible participants in Parchment, Cooper Township, Belmont and Rockford are scheduled to receive an enrollment packet in the mail from MDHHS by Nov. 30. If you think you are eligible and do not receive an enrollment packet by that date, please call MDHHS’ study partner, RTI International, at 855-322-3037 to see if you qualify.

“Michigan continues to be a leader in PFAS research,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “The MiPEHS will provide residents of these communities the opportunity to learn more about PFAS and their levels of exposure and potential health impacts.”

People who enroll in the study will complete a comprehensive survey and provide a blood sample on three separate occasions over the course of the study. The blood samples will be tested for PFAS and health markers such as thyroid hormones and cholesterol. MDHHS will also test some participants’ drinking water for PFAS.

MDHHS will soon launch another study in these same communities in partnership with the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The Multi-Site Study (MSS) is a nationwide PFAS health study, with a goal of understanding the relationship between PFAS exposure and health outcomes among differing populations across the United States. Information collected for the MSS in Michigan will be combined with data from six other locations throughout the country. MSS will be open for enrollment in 2021 and will last until 2022. Eligible residents will be notified by MDHHS when MSS begins.

For more information about the MiPEHS or MSS, please visit Michigan.gov/DEHBio.

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SWMP Report

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program protects the surface waters of the state by assuring that discharges comply with state and federal regulations.  Anyone discharging to surface water of the state are required to make application for and obtain a valid NPDES permit.

The City of Parchment (City) is committed to ensuring that stormwater runoff from its roadways and facilities complies with all federal and state environmental regulatory requirements.

The City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Individual Permit (MI00600184), hereafter referred to as the MS4 Permit, is issued through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and is administered at the State-level by the EGLE. The City’s program is part of the Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), authorized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Clean Water Act. This permit replaces and supersedes previous coverage under the MS4 General Permit.

Parchment’s MS4 Permit is applicable for five years and effective from August 20, 2018 to October 1, 2022. It authorizes stormwater discharges from City of Parchment’s MS4 service area to surface waters within the City Limits.

The City service area is regulated by the MS4 Permit covers any separate storm sewer system owned and/or operated by Parchment and located within census urbanized areas (CUAs) of Michigan identified in the 2010 Census by the U.S. Census Bureau.

This is the City of Parchments permit application that has been approved by EGLE.  Comments or questions can be directed to the City Manager at manager@parchment.org.

 

Permit Application for Discharge of Storm Water to Surface Water of the State from a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System

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COVID-19 – Protect Yourself & Your Family

The best way to protect yourself and your family, and to stop the spread of viruses such as the flu, common cold and COVID-19 include:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.  If not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home if you are sick and contact your healthcare provider.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

People should be diligent about preventing flu since there have been thousands of influenza-like illnesses reported throughout the county. Individuals within the United States are still at a higher risk of getting the flu than COVID-19.  If you have not received your flu shot, it is highly encouraged you do so now.

Right now, there are no additional precautions recommended for the general public in the United States.

Below are downloads that provide more information about COVID-19