City water crews in Battle Creek, Michigan, have brought four new drinking water wells into operation at the Verona Well Field. The wells began producing potable water for the community on Wednesday afternoon. A fifth well is undergoing final adjustments and will be added to the system once it is ready.
These five wells are part of a larger project to replace the city’s aging and deteriorating wells. In total, 21 new drinking water wells have been constructed and permitted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). City Water Department crews plan to continue activating these wells in phases as they receive final approvals. The full wellfield is expected to be operational by summer 2026.
Over the past year, increased natural organic material in source water—linked to old wells and drilling activity—led to an exceedance of Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs). This has resulted in quarterly sampling of drinking water and additional monitoring actions during the transition period. Since May 2025, Pennfield Township has also conducted quarterly sampling at its site.
The city anticipates releasing finalized results from its latest quarterly samples in April.
“These new wells represent a major step toward improving long‑term water reliability and strengthening the system that serves our community,” according to a statement from city officials.
For more information about Battle Creek’s water system projects, visit www.battlecreekmi.gov.
