PARCHMENT, MI -- In the wake Michigan declaring a state of emergency in Kalamazoo County, the distribution of bottled water to residents in Parchment and Cooper Township will continue Monday, July 30, though with more limited hours.

Water distribution will be offered from noon to 8 p.m. Monday at Parchment High School, 1916 East G Avenue, according to a Sunday news release from the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department. The department expects to provide updates on the topic daily at 4 p.m.

The state of emergency announced Sunday was in response to high levels of PFAS discovered in the city of Parchment's municipal water source last week. The declaration stems from ongoing health and safety concerns tied to the discovery of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in the system serving residents of Parchment and some portions of Cooper Township.

Those using Parchment's municipal water supply were told late Thursday, July 26, to immediately stop drinking the water after high levels of PFAS were discovered in the municipal water source. Officials estimate 3,100 residents are on Parchment's city water system.

A test conducted by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality showed a level of total PFAS of 1,587 parts per trillion in Parchment's municipal water supply. This level is more than 20 times higher than the EPA lifetime health advisory of 70-ppt for the two PFAS chemicals PFOS and PFOA.

The chemicals, an emerging public health threat, are known to increase risk of cancer, kidney disease, thyroid conditions and auto-immune disorders. The chemicals also can increase cholesterol and interfere with the body's natural hormones.

On Friday, July 27, public employees and volunteers conducted bottled water distribution from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to the change to distribution times, residents will also now be asked to verify their address when picking up their water supply, according to the health department's update.

Crews from the city of Kalamazoo continue to work with Parchment city officials to flush out Parchment's tainted water system.

Flushing has included some water being dispelled untreated directly into the Kalamazoo River watershed, and some being directed to Kalamazoo's wastewater plant for treatment before being released.

Those efforts continued Saturday night, according to health department officials, and will begin again Saturday night, with staff working through the night.

Kalamazoo Township has provided a fire truck to assist in the flushing. Both the city of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo Township are using backup, reserve fire engines to flush the water, according to the update. Front-line fire department equipment and resources are not being diverted from either municipality to assist with the flushing of Parchment's water supply system.

County officials stress that controls are in place to prevent Parchment's water from flowing into the city of Kalamazoo's water system. The flushing plan was developed cooperatively by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, city of Kalamazoo and city of Parchment, according to the county's update.

State and local health officials have also created a

PFAS fact sheet for local residents to use as a reference point.

A town hall meeting for residents is planned for Tuesday, July 31, at Haven Reformed Church, 5350 Sprinkle Road. An open house runs from 5-6 p.m., followed by a program from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Residents living in the city of Parchment and Cooper Township are encouraged to attend the meeting.

The meeting will include updates on the status of water response activities, and residents will have the opportunity to receive more information regarding PFAS substances, health impacts and plans for interim and long-term water supply solutions.

Results from tests of the three wells that feed Parchment's water system are expected Monday, and will inform the next steps for local and state officials. As part of the response to news of contamination, private wells within a one-mile radius of Parchment's well field are also being tested.

For more information regarding PFAS contamination in the Parchment area, residents can contact a hotline at 269-373-5346, answered by county health department staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The following map shows, outlined in blue, the extent of the city of Parchment's water system, which reaches into a small portion of southern Cooper Township. The area outlined in green is Parchment's city boundaries.