About
Who We Are – A Legacy of Clean Water and Community Care
For over 40 years, the Kalamazoo Lake Sewer and Water Authority (KLSWA) has been dedicated to ensuring safe, reliable water and sewer services that protect public health and preserve the environment. Established in 1977 in response to the deteriorating condition of the Kalamazoo River, KLSWA was founded on the mission to provide clean drinking water and effective wastewater management for our growing communities. Through strategic partnerships and continuous upgrades, we have built a robust infrastructure that meets the needs of today while planning for tomorrow.
Mission
Vision
To continue being the backbone of our community’s growth by providing innovative and sustainable water solutions that protect our environment, improve quality of life, and support future generations.
Today’s Impact
Today, KLSWA proudly operates 20 public sanitary sewer lift stations and multiple facilities, continuing our mission of safeguarding public health and supporting community growth. Our infrastructure includes 6 wells, a state-of-the-art treatment plant, a water storage reservoir, and an extensive network of sewer piping and watermain. This comprehensive system ensures clean, safe drinking water and efficient wastewater treatment for all residents.
Budget
Commission
Commission Members
Barry Johnson
KLSWA Chair, City of Saugatuck
March 2025 through February 29, 2027
Abby Bigford
March 2023 through February 2026
Greg Freeman
KLSWA Secretary-Treasurer, City of The Village of Douglas
March 2025 through February 28, 2027
Joe Clark
City of Saugatuck
March 2025 through February 2028
Jennifer Ludwick
City of The Village of Douglas
March 2025 through February 2028
Employment
KLSWA looks for highly motivated, well-qualified individuals to help us serve our communities and commit to their continued health and growth.
Systems Operator
Minimum Requirements: posses High School Diploma or GED, and an active State of Michigan vehicle Operator License. Obtain a pertinent EGLE license within two qualifying opportunities of hire. Obtain a Commercial Driver’s License class B (CDL-B) or better with tanker endorsement (N) within four months of hire.
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- Perform the necessary maintenance and repair work on system equipment or property insuring proper working order and appearance. This equipment includes but is not limited to pumps, motors, chemical feed systems, valves, mixers, shafts, couplers, bearings, electrical controls, meters, hydrants, compressors, bar screens, sewer and water mains, vehicles, buildings, structures along with any other system related equipment or property.
- Operate hand and power tools in a safe effective manner in order to complete maintenance or repairs.
- Perform welding and cutting.
- Perform customer meter readings, install/removal of meters and meter recording equipment.
- Operate light and heavy motorized equipment.
- Collect and or perform necessary tests on water and wastewater either in the field or in a laboratory environment.
- Calibrate various equipment as necessary.
- Perform inventory activities.
- Makes periodic rounds of water and wastewater facilities recording operational conditions and interpreting tests and data in order to take appropriate action.
- Efficiently and effectively backwash filters of a potable water iron removal plant.
- Clean sewers, flush hydrants, inspect sewer laterals and water services.
- Follow all safety regulations and procedures while performing work duties in a confined or hazardous space.
- Responds to and repairs water and sewer mains.
- Handles chemicals and supplies in a safe manner.
- Responds to emergencies and customer service requests.
- Maintain necessary records.
- Perform locating and staking duties of the system’s underground utilities as required.
- Efficiently and effectively operates the Wastewater Treatment Plant with the proper maintenance of all related files and records.
- Performs cross-connection inspections on private and commercial property insuring proper plumbing, connection, or discharges into the public system in accordance to industry standards and regulations.
- Work nights, weekends and holidays as required and/or as necessary.
- Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly manner along with housekeeping duties.
- Works cooperatively with coworkers, the public and customers.
- Attends training and seeks operational licenses as issued by related regulatory agencies.
- Perform in all weather conditions and environments.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. This Position Description is intended to identify and illustrate the kinds of duties that may be assigned to its incumbent. It should not be interpreted as describing all of the duties that may ever be required of such an employee, or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such individuals may be given.
Office Administrator
Role Description: Kalamazoo Lake Sewer and Water Authority is seeking to fill an immediate opening for an Office Administrator. Reporting to the Office Supervisor, the Office Administrator will be responsible for many back and front office tasks
Minimum Requirements: Requires strong interpersonal skills and experience with Microsoft office applications. Experience with BS&A Billing, GL, Accounts Payable and Badger Meter Reading software platforms a plus.
View Job Description
Work Requirements:
General Office Administration:
- Phone Support
- Recordkeeping and filing
- Front Desk Support
- Document Preparation
- Staff Support
- Office Maintenance
Customer Contact and Care
- Account creation, transition and deactivation
- Customer Account Changes and Modifications
- Account inquiries
- Maintenance Scheduling
Bill Inquiry and Support
- Ensure timely upload of meter readings into billing system
- Identification and investigation of usage anomalies
- Generate billing cycle runs
- Coordinate data export to billing vendor
- Maintain rating data
Field Operations Support
- General dispatch support
- Timesheet collection
- Vendor support
Regulatory Filings
- Regulatory Record Keeping
- General Compliance Filings
- Bulk Mailings
The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or abilitynrequired. This Position Description is intended to identify and illustrate the kinds of duties that may be assigned to its incumbent. It should not be interpreted as describing all the duties that may ever be required of such an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such individuals may be given.