KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Another day of wintry weather is leading to more infrastructure problems for Kalamazoo city workers.
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Services say they were alerted to a partially treated wastewater spill at 4 p.m. Tuesday, coming from a manhole at Lake and Clarence streets.
City officials say a nearby water main break amplified the spill.
DPS workers removed the blockage causing the overflow at 7 p.m. Tuesday, restoring normal flow.
However, officials estimate about 20,300 gallons of partially cholorinated wastewater were discharged before then, reaching the Kalamazoo River via storm sewers. The spill is leading to a no contact advisory by Kalamazoo County health officials. The advisory covers the Kalamazoo River between the King Highway and Mills Street bridges.
In a separate water main break, the city has shut down Pitcher Street at Walnut Street through Feb. 6 for water main break repairs. Drivers should take an alternate route.
Tuesday, Kalamazoo issued a boil water advisory for Stadium Drive starting at Seneca Lane and stretching about 1,000 feet eastward. The advisory, sparked by another water main break, forced some nearby businesses to close.
On Monday, Kalamazoo officials blamed increasing frost depths for the numerous water main breaks, saying that was causing pipes to shift.
City officials are also asking residents to run a narrow stream of water in their homes nonstop, probably until April 1, to prevent pipes from freezing.