PARCHMENT, Mich. (WOOD) — Work continued Wednesday to get clean water flowing into Parchment.
It has been several days since officials announced high levels of PFAS, a likely carcinogen, had been detected in the city's municipal water system, which serves Parchment and Cooper Township.
“This is downtown Parchment,” barbershop owner Lamarr Blanchard said. “It’s a big concern.”
Blanchard has a few questions.
“The first question I would have is, ‘How long has this been (in the water)?’” he asked.
That question and others like it persists as crews work to bring Kalamazoo city water to Parchment. A new water main is going in on G Avenue in Parchment, with the work prompting a precautionary boil water advisory for 17 nearby homes through Saturday.
The goal is for Kalamazoo water to flow into Parchment’s lines, providing water free of PFAS. It's not yet clear when that will happen.
The city of Kalamazoo says anyone on Parchment’s water system needs to flush all water taps and any appliances that use water.
Bottled water distribution continues at Parchment High School, where 1,596 cases of bottled water from the state showed up Wednesday. Distribution will run from noon to 8 p.m. through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. You'll have to verify your address at pickup.
“We just really want to share the love to Kalamazoo,” said Jax Heil, who was helping give out bottled water Wednesday afternoon.
Heil grew up in Parchment, drinking the contaminated water for who knows how long.
“As of right now, I don’t have any concerns,” he told 24 Hour News 8. “But the whole lifetime thing is kind of what gets me.”
People and organizations who want to volunteer at water distribution can call Parchment clerk Shannon Stutz at 269.492.3262.