Kalamazoo locks in $3.05m 2027 treatment-chemical supply
City of Kalamazoo Public Services Water Division, Michigan · Meeting date: October 19, 2026 · Published: October 20, 2026
The Kalamazoo City Commission unanimously approved five water and wastewater chemical contracts for 2027, with Elhorn Company’s $1.97 million liquid phosphate agreement accounting for the largest share. The actions also cover fluoridation, chlorine, dechlorination and wastewater disinfection chemicals.
Key points
- Approved chemical contracts total $3,054,610 for 2027 water and wastewater treatment.
- Elhorn Company will supply liquid phosphate for water treatment under a $1,965,785 contract.
- Water-treatment contracts with Water Solutions Unlimited and Jones Chemical total $314,500 for fluorosilicic acid and liquid chlorine cylinders.
- Wastewater-treatment agreements include $645,525 for sodium hypochlorite from Rowell Chemical and $128,800 for sodium bisulfite from PVS Chemical Solutions.
Full report
Kalamazoo City Commission has approved $3.05 million of treatment-chemical contracts for 2027, securing supplies across its water and wastewater operations in a set of unanimous October 19 votes.
The largest agreement is a $1,965,785 contract with Elhorn Company for liquid phosphate used in water treatment. The commission considered the purchase separately on its regular agenda and approved it without discussion or public comment.
Three further water and wastewater chemical contracts were approved through the consent agenda. Water Solutions Unlimited will provide fluorosilicic acid for water treatment under a $152,500 contract, while Jones Chemical will supply liquid chlorine cylinders for $162,000.
On the wastewater side, PVS Chemical Solutions received a $128,800 contract for sodium bisulfite, and Rowell Chemical received a $645,525 contract for sodium hypochlorite. Together, the two wastewater chemical agreements total $774,325; the three water-treatment contracts total $2,280,285.
The approvals give liquid phosphate the dominant position in Kalamazoo’s 2027 chemical procurement programme, representing roughly two-thirds of the five-contract total. No commissioners raised questions on the liquid phosphate award, and all seven commissioners voted in favour. The consent package containing the other four chemical agreements was also approved unanimously.
The commission additionally approved a grant project agreement involving the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Motmot for robotic inspection of a water transmission main. The meeting record did not state the grant value or further scope details.
The chemical awards were among the utility-related actions taken as the city also adopted its Imagine Kalamazoo 2035 Strategic Vision. During debate on that plan, commissioners and residents discussed environmental priorities including flood-prone areas, drinking water, natural assets and green infrastructure, although no specific utility capital commitments were adopted as part of that discussion.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Commission Business Meeting, City of Kalamazoo Public Services Water Division