Kalamazoo Residents Sue City Over Noxious Odors Linked to Water Treatment Plant

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A former Kalamazoo resident has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging officials failed to address years of noxious odors caused by toxic gas emissions tied to the city’s wastewater treatment system.

Brandi Joy Crawford-Johnson said she moved her family out of the city after repeated exposure to hydrogen sulfide, a gas that she said stung her eyes and made it difficult to breathe. She is now suing the city on behalf of current residents, claiming city leaders have not taken meaningful steps to reduce the emissions or protect public health.

Claims of Health Impacts

Crawford-Johnson said residents across Kalamazoo experience similar symptoms, including headaches and burning eyes. She said she heard the same complaints at homes, police stations, and local businesses throughout the city.

“We feel helpless, we feel defeated sometimes, we feel ignored,” Crawford-Johnson said. “It’s scary,” she added, describing what she believes is widespread exposure to the gas.

Hydrogen sulfide is known for its strong odor, often compared to rotten eggs. Crawford-Johnson said the odors were persistent enough to disrupt daily life and ultimately forced her family to leave Kalamazoo.

Monitoring and Public Awareness

According to the lawsuit, the city installed air monitoring devices in 2009 to track hydrogen sulfide emissions. Crawford-Johnson said the city did not inform the public that monitoring was taking place at the time.

She also said there has been little visible action since 2023, when the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services labeled the emissions a public health hazard. The department recommended more advanced monitoring and advised residents affected by the gas to stay indoors.

Legal Basis of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit was filed under the Michigan Environmental Protection Act. The law allows any resident to sue for the protection of the state’s air, water, and natural resources from pollution or impairment. Claims under the act can seek court orders to stop harmful activities but do not allow for financial damages.

Earlier this week, Crawford-Johnson also filed a motion for a preliminary injunction. The motion asks the court to require immediate steps to reduce residents’ exposure while the case moves forward.

Requested Relief

The proposed measures include installing an independent, real-time air monitoring system in affected neighborhoods. The motion also calls for distributing air filtration devices to homeowners, schools, businesses, and public agencies located in areas impacted by the odors.

Crawford-Johnson said the goal is to provide relief and reliable information to residents who continue to live near the source of the emissions.

City Response

The city of Kalamazoo acknowledged public concerns about air quality but declined to comment further because of the pending lawsuit.

“The City of Kalamazoo considers the public’s concerns about air quality a top priority and is fully committed to addressing the presence of gasses and their odors in air readings throughout the city,” the city said in a statement. “The City of Kalamazoo will not provide further comment on the pending litigation”