KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo County Administrator Kevin Catlin is refuting claims made by inmates about the quality of the water at the Kalamazoo County Jail.
He says he made an on-sight visit to personally review and assess conditions at the Lamont Street lockup after the allegations about brown water in the kitchen and elsewhere were published, including an inspection of the kitchen.
“I can confirm personally that the water I observed today was clear and did not exhibit any discoloration. Toxicologists have advised that the water remains safe for cooking, bathing and cleaning, based on current data.”
Catlin says their main concern is copper, which would appear blue or green in the water.
The brown water is the result of flushing sediment from the system, which he says have succeeded in clearing the pipes.
He says they continue to ban drinking tap water until testing is completed.
“To be very clear, residents lodged at the jail have not and should not be consuming tap water. Purified bottled water continues to be provided to residents and staff by request.”
Dr. Catlin also refuted claims made by inmates about health problems due to the water.
“Jail medical staff and health care professionals have also reported no complaints involving skin rashes, vomiting blood or other serious bodily fluid concerns directly attributed to water conditions.”
Catlin says he personally observed contractors installing six separate filtration systems on the plumbing at the jail.
Additional improvements are planned and more may be ordered depending on the results of pending and planned tests.
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