Working with our partners CDM Smith and ERM to identify and replace lead and galvanized lines.
Lead - Illinois
Aqua’s mission is protecting and providing earth’s most essential resource which includes delivery of clean, safe, and reliable drinking water to our customers. Our current treatment practices ensure our drinking water meets all regulatory standards. Some homes have been identified as having lead or galvanized service lines that could contain lead. Property owners typically own a portion of this line. Lead, which can leach out of plumbing materials, has been connected to health complications, especially in young children. For more information on the sources of lead and the potential health impacts, click here.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) passed regulations requiring utilities to develop an inventory of the materials used in each water service line in their system. Aqua Illinois plans to replace all identified lead and galvanized service lines by 2037. You can find more information and answers to frequently asked questions below.
Aqua also shares water quality information in our Water Quality Reports (also called Consumer Confidence Reports). Our reports show lead sample results. Find Your Local Water Quality Report Here.
Learn more about Aqua Illinois Lead Service Line Materials Inventory Here.
Learn more about Aqua Illinois Lead Service Line Replacement Draft Plans Here.
Customer-owned Service Lines
We need your help in identifying your service line material.
The water service line is the pipe that connects your home to the public water main. Property owners are typically responsible for maintaining and replacing this line. While replacing a service line typically costs thousands of dollars, there's good news.
Aqua will replace it at no direct cost to you.
If your service line is found to be made of lead or galvanized steel requiring replacement, Aqua will replace it as part of our commitment to safe, clean drinking water.
How to Identify Your Service Line Material
To find out if your service line material has already been identified, click here to visit our new customer service line material map.
If our map shows the customer service line material as “unknown,” you can watch this short, informational video explaining how you can help us identify your customer service line material. Please send your material identification and a photo of your water service line to LeadFreeAquaIL@cdmsmith.com.
Lead Service Line Replacement
Aqua Illinois is committed to identifying and replacing lead and galvanized service lines that require replacement at no direct cost to you as part of our ongoing efforts to protect public health and comply with updated regulations.
Before any work begins, Aqua or its approved contractors will coordinate directly with the property owner to explain the process, receive consent, and schedule the replacement. Water service will be temporarily stopped and restored the same day. When possible, trenchless installation methods are used to minimize impacts to sidewalks, driveways, lawns, and landscaping. Any disturbed areas will be restored to existing conditions or better after the work is completed.
Replacements are being completed in locational phases to maximize efficiency.
What Aqua will do
At no direct cost to the homeowner, Aqua will:
- Identify the material type of your service line.
- Enter into an agreement to replace your portion of the service line
- Replace your service line and provide pitcher filters to protect against lead for six months after disturbance.
- Offer sampling bottles and instructions and test your water for lead.
- Restore your property
- Dedicate the new service line back to you, at which time you will reassume responsibility.
- Provide a warranty on the work completed
Who is performing the work?
Contractors are performing survey and replacement work on behalf of Aqua. Our regular contractors include CDM Smith, ERM, Gene Wren Construction, Miller Pipeline, Kinney Consulting and Claypool Excavating, but others will be added as workload increases. Customers are encouraged to ask to see identification if concerned. No one will ask for money for any service related to this work. Customers can also call (815) 270-6049 or email LeadFreeAquaIL@cdmsmith.com with any questions or concerns about the legitimacy of workers claiming to represent Aqua.
Aqua’s Major Projects Currently Underway:
- Current Replacement Projects: City of Danville, City of Kankakee, Village of Peotone
- Current Survey Projects: Crystal Lake, City of Danville, City of Kankakee, Moecherville, North Maine (Chicago, Des Plaines, Glenview), Oak Brook, Peotone, Sheridan, Skyline (North), Summerdale.
*Smaller projects may be occurring in other areas not listed above. If you have any question, please call (815) 270-6049 or email LeadFreeAquaIL@cdmsmith.com
FAQs
Is My Water Safe to Drink?
My pipe has been identified as lead or galvanized. Is it safe to drink while I wait for a replacement? What may I expect as part of the pipe replacement?
Aqua Illinois carefully treats drinking water to minimize the potential for corrosion of lead into our customer’s drinking water. Even so, it is in the best interest of our customers to further mitigate risk by replacing these service lines with more modern materials.
Prior to the replacement, Aqua will provide customers with a kit which includes a water filter (pitcher or tap filter) approved by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and six months of replacement filters. We will provide instructions on using the water sampling materials. We will offer to sample your water between 3 and 6 months after replacement of the service line.
If my service line is lead or galvanized, when will it be replaced?
Aqua Illinois is planning to systematically replace all identified lead and galvanized service lines. We will reach out when we are performing replacements in your area.
Will my service be interrupted?
Water service will be temporarily stopped and restored the same day.
Only the properties identified for replacement will be impacted. We do not anticipate any other water service interruptions. Those properties identified for service line replacement will be asked to schedule a date for the work to occur. In certain cases, excavation will be necessary on sidewalks used by the public. Aqua will repair those areas after completion of the pipe replacement.
Will there be any work on my property?
Only the properties identified for service line replacement will be impacted. For those property owners, the service lines will be replaced at no direct cost by a contracted plumber. The plumber will coordinate with the property owner to schedule the replacement.
Why is a new meter size needed for my service line replacement?
Per section 15.12.060 of the Illinois Plumbing code, the water service pipe shall be a minimum of one (1) inch for all service lines, except that such water service pipe may be three-fourths (¾) of an inch in diameter in the case of existing subdivided land where the existing connection to the water main is three-fourths (¾) inches in diameter. When the distance of the water service pipe exceeds eighty (80) feet, at least one (1) inch nominal diameter pipe shall be used. Distances shall be measured from the street main to the water meter inside the building.
Translated Documents
Aqua Illinois Lead Service Line Program Translated Documents:
Received a Lead and Copper Sampling Kit?
Check out this video to see step-by-step instructions on how to sample your water as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
