Lead Service Line Replacement

The Village of La Grange Park is implementing a new Lead Service Line Fee effective May 1, 2025 to fund lead service line replacements in accordance with the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (414 ILCS 5/17.12). This act, which became effective on January 1, 2022  requires the replacement of all lead service lines in the State of Illinois. In La Grange Park, replacing all lead service lines in the Village’s water system is estimated to cost $23.5 million over 17 years.

On November 26, 2024, the Village Board unanimously approved an ordinance establishing water rates to fund the state-mandated lead service line replacements. The ordinance reflects the Board’s commitment to balancing the financial burden equitably among all Village water system users while ensuring compliance with the act.

New Lead Service Line Fee Rates – Effective May 1, 2025

  • Single-family residential and multi-family residential (when each unit has a separate water meter and billing account) - $8.40 per month
  • All other accounts - $5.10 per month plus $0.64 per 100 cubic feet of water usage

The Village Board’s year-long effort to establish the funding ordinance and fee structure was marked by detailed reviews, in-depth discussions, and a steadfast commitment to community needs. Guided by comprehensive presentations and data from the Village’s engineer, the Board carefully examined multiple funding mechanisms and fee structures. Over the course of several meetings, they evaluated every option to ensure the final decision was both equitable for residents and compliant with state requirements. This thorough and deliberate process reflects the Village’s dedication to prioritizing residents' interests while maintaining the financial sustainability of the Village’s water system. These thoughtful deliberations exemplify the Village’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and meticulous planning for this critical infrastructure initiative, the largest unfunded state mandate in our Village’s history.

Why is this Fee Necessary?

  • State Mandate: Compliance with the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act is mandatory for all Illinois municipalities. Simply put, it is the law that lead and galvanized steel pipes must be replaced, and there is no alternative. The state dictates the number of replacements required each year, and the Village must meet these targets annually until every affected line has been replaced. Adhering to these requirements is essential for the Village to remain in good standing with state regulations.
  • Public Health and Safety: Lead service lines pose a significant health risk, particularly to vulnerable populations. Replacing these lines ensures safe, lead-free drinking water for all residents.
  • Equitable Cost Distribution: The funding model includes a flat rate for single-family residences and a combination of flat and usage-based rates for other accounts, ensuring fairness across different types of water users.

How Long Will This Fee Last?

While the fee will end once the total cost is paid off, the timeline depends on several factors, including funding sources and loan terms. The State requires that all lead service lines be replaced within 17 years, beginning in 2027. Currently, we estimate that completing the project within that timeframe will cost approximately $23.5 million. Without assistance, the fee would remain on bills for at least the full 17 years but at a higher rate. However, if we secure zero-interest loans from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) with a 30-year repayment term, the fee will likely remain longer but at a lower monthly rate. These loans allow us to complete the work sooner—before construction costs rise further—while spreading out the financial impact over time.

Additionally, we will pursue extensions or other financing options to keep the monthly fee as low as possible. However, extending the timeline means the fee will remain on bills longer. Completing the work sooner allows us to lock in today’s prices, reducing the risk of rising construction costs and helping to stabilize the rate over time. Although the total cost is estimated at $23.5 million in today’s dollars, construction costs will increase with inflation over time. This is why securing zero-interest loans is crucial—they allow us to accelerate the work, minimize cost increases, and spread payments over time, keeping fees more manageable for residents.

Securing Additional Funding

The Village continues to make every effort to work with state legislators to secure additional funding for lead service line replacements, reducing the financial impact on local water customers. The Village will also continue to request extensions to project deadlines, providing flexibility to meet compliance goals effectively.

Next Steps in the Project

  1. Implementation Timeline: The Village is currently required to replace lead services as they are encountered during water main replacement projects, water main and service repairs as they occur. Starting in 2027 the Village is required to have a program that will replace a minimum number of services based on the total number of lead/galvanized services on the system, which currently projected at 87 services a year.  The Village’s Final Lead Service Line Replacement Plan will be completed by April of 2027 and will prioritize high risk areas.
  2. Regular Updates: The Village will provide annual reports on project progress, including the number of lines replaced, funding allocations, and future plans.
  3. Community Engagement: Residents will be notified when replacement work is scheduled in their area and provided with detailed instructions.

Contact Information

For more information about the Lead Service Line Fee or the replacement project, please contact the Village’s Public Works Department at 708-352-2922 or info@lagrangepark.org. 

What Are Lead Service Lines?

The Village of La Grange Park receives drinking water from Lake Michigan and pumps it to residents through the Village’s water distribution system. Here is an example of how your home’s water service line connects to the Village’s water mains:

Lead Service House Image

To ensure safe drinking water in the United States, federal regulations have guided intervention and regulatory efforts to successfully reduce exposure to water contaminants. In particular, public health advocates and agencies have researched the negative impacts of lead exposure in drinking water. Both the Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) and Lead and Copper Rule (1991) implemented restrictions to control lead in drinking water. Now, recent State of Illinois regulations require the Village to make an inventory of, and develop a replacement program for, lead water service lines owned by the Village and private property owners.

Although La Grange Park’s water meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) lead level requirements, some of the pipes that connect older homes to the Village’s water system are made from lead. Lead service lines are a health concern because they can be a source of lead in tap water. Lead can be harmful to humans when ingested or inhaled and has been shown to cause delays in physical and mental development. Lead enters drinking water primarily because of the corrosion, or wearing away, of materials containing lead in private water service lines and household plumbing.

Important Resident Information

The Village of La Grange Park is committed to maintaining its public services through safe practices and proper equipment. As part of this commitment, and in response to the State of Illinois’ Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act, the Village is implementing its Lead Service Line Replacement Program to identify and replace lead service lines in our community.

Water service line materials. Service pipes can be made of lead, galvanized steel, copper, ductile iron, or brass. Lead, galvanized steel, and copper are the most common material types. Click here to learn how to determine your line’s material using your magnet, screwdriver, and coin. 

Three Pipes - DC Water

 

 

 

 

 

Image Credit: DC Water

Here is a short video from the Public Works team showing how you can determine your water service line material in just a few easy steps!

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. What is lead?  Lead is a naturally occurring metal that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Lead can be found in air, soil, dust, food, and water. 
  2. How can I be exposed to lead? The most common source of lead exposure is from paint in homes and buildings built before 1978. Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are the main sources of exposure for lead in American youth. Lead-based paints were banned for use in housing in 1978. Although the main sources of exposure to lead are ingesting paint chips and inhaling dust, lead also can be found in some household plumbing materials and some water service lines. The Environmental Protection Agency states that lead pipes are more likely to be found in older homes built before Congress enacted lead-reduction requirements as part of Safe Drinking Water Act amendments in 1986. As a result, homes built in or after 1986 are far less likely to have lead pipes. 
  3. Does La Grange Park’s water have lead in it? To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA has regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. As a result, the Village of La Grange Park regularly tests its water for lead, bacteria, and other regulated contaminants. The Village can report that no lead contaminant level violations were recorded during 2021.
  4. How do I know if I have lead in my water? First, test to see if your home has a lead service line by following these instructions. If you have lead pipes, or if you see signs of corrosion (frequent leaks, rust-colored water), you may want to have your water tested. Testing is the only way to confirm if lead is present or absent because you cannot see, taste, or smell lead in water. You can test your water using an at-home test kit or for more accurate results, ordering a test kit from a state-certified laboratory. To obtain a booklet of qualified laboratories, call the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Division of Laboratories at 217-782-6455 or visit the IEPA website to view accredited laboratories.
  5. If I have a lead service line, how can I reduce my exposure to lead in my drinking water? The best step you can take is to have your home’s lead service lines replaced. However, you can take action to reduce the amount of lead in your drinking water and minimize your potential for exposure by following the below recommendations from the American Water Works Association:
    • Run your water to flush out lead. If water hasn’t been used for several hours, run the water for three to five minutes to clear most of the lead from the water.
    • Always use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Never cook with or drink water from the hot water tap. Never use water from the hot water tap to make formula.
    • Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
    • Periodically remove and clean the faucet screen/aerator. While removed, run the water to eliminate debris.
      American Water Works Association ImageImage Credit: American Water Works Association 
    • You may consider investing in a home water treatment device or alternative water source. When purchasing a water treatment device, make sure it is certified under NSF/ANSI 53 to remove lead.
    • Identify and replace plumbing fixtures containing lead. Brass faucets, fittings, and valves may leach lead into drinking water. Products sold after January 2014 must by law contain very low levels of lead.
    • Have a licensed electrician check your wiring. Your home electrical system may be attached to your service line or elsewhere in your plumbing. If this connection is electrified, it can accelerate corrosion. Check with a licensed electrician to correct ground faults and evaluate your local electric code to determine if your wiring can be grounded elsewhere. DO NOT attempt to change the wiring yourself because improper bonding or grounding can cause electrical shock and fire hazards.
  6. Should I test my children for exposure to lead? Children at risk of exposure to lead should be tested. Your doctor or local health center can perform a simple blood test to determine your child’s blood-lead level.
  7. Will the Village replace my lead service line? Lead service lines on a resident’s private property are not part of the public water system and are the responsibility of the property owner. Lead service lines are owned and replaced at the expense of the property owner. The Village strongly encourages you to contact a licensed plumber for work on your service line. Prior to any plumbing work, please contact the Village’s Building Department at 708-354-0225 to see if you need a building permit.

Program Documents

  1. LSLR Program Update Presentation (September 13, 2022)