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Michigan agencies told to help 2 towns with tainted water

Michigan officials say state agencies will be providing additional help for two communities near Kalamazoo dealing with chemical contamination of the public water system. 

The governor's office said Sunday that a state of emergency had been declared for Kalamazoo County over the health concerns in Parchment and Cooper Township, where water test results announced Thursday revealed high levels substances known as PFAS.

About 3,000 people on the affected system have been told not to drink or cook with the water, and thousands of cases of bottled water have been distributed.

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley says state and local officials are working to ensure residents have safe water.

PFAS are used in manufacturing, firefighting and thousands of household and consumer products. The source of the Michigan contamination is under investigation.

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