Lead Water Service Line Replacement Initiative

Lead Water Service Line Replacement Initiative

 

The City of North Chicago Public Works Department has identified lead water service lines (LSL) within the City and will work with State and Federal Agencies to assist in replacing both public and private lead service lines.

 

The City is here to support you in this process. Please note that the source of North Chicago’s drinking water contains no lead. The City’s water mains that carry the water to your home or business are not made of lead. However, lead was commonly used as a material in plumbing before the mid-1950s. This practice was not banned until 1986. If water service lines or home plumbing are made with lead, they could introduce lead into your drinking water. The surest way to keep your household safe is to identify and eliminate potential lead sources. The City wants to help in that process.

 

The City has just been informed that North Chicago has been authorized to receive monies through this grant for the first round of water service replacements. The City will be looking for alternative ways to acquire additional grant funding through State and Federal agencies to help replace lead water service lines.

 

If your property meets the program criteria for replacement within this first round, the potential that your lead water service line from the water main into the home could be replaced at zero cost to you. This is a significant cost saving, as a typical water service line replacement can range upwards of $10,000 - $15,000.

 

What’s a Water Service Line?

A water service line is the smaller pipe that delivers water from the City water main, which can be in the street or the back or side yards of your home. The service line runs from the City’s water main to the water shut-off just past the water meter inside the house.

 

The City is responsible for the water service from the water main to the property line. The property owner is responsible from the property line to the building, including all the plumbing inside of the building.

 

Additional Resources

 

 

 

 

City_of_North_Chicago_Water_Service_Survey_-_Post_on_Website(2).pdf