Mayor Lightfoot Launches Lead Water Line Replacement Project

CHICAGO — Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday announced the beginnings of an effort to help replace lead water service lines to 380,000 homes citywide.

"Chicago’s lead service lines are a legacy issue we need to start meaningfully confronting by moving in the right direction in a responsible way," Lightfoot said in a statement.

"The new Lead Service Line Replacement Program stands as our equity-forward approach to providing residents the support they need, all while providing a foundation to continuously building on our commitment to addressing this important issue for the long term."

Chicago's drinking water is in compliance with all federal, state and industry standards, city officials said. The water line replacement program is voluntary, and gives priority to low-income property owners.

The program calls for the city to pay for water line replacements for owner-occupied homes for people with a household income below 80 percent of the area median income and consistent lead concentrations above 15 parts per billion in their water. Qualifying homeowners will have their lead service line replaced all the way from the water main into the home by contractors paid fully by the City.

Homeowners who want to hire a contractor to remove existing lead service lines also can qualify for a wavier of construction permit fees, which typically cost about $3,000 for the work. Fees for connecting to the water main and the cost of a water meter also would be waived, officials said.

The Equity Lead Service Line Replacement Program, which must first be approved by the City Council, would be funded by $15 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, officials said.

The program is just the beginning of the city's efforts to remove lead service lines. Lightfoot has commissioned a technical report to explore the full spectrum of funding and operational options for lead service line replacement that is expected to be released in the coming months.

A working group of stakeholders, regulators and aldermen will be convened to provide input and recommendations based on the report as the City continues to develop its long-term lead service line replacement plan, city officials said.

More information about the Lead Service Line Replacement Program is available online.