General Lead Service Line FAQs
What is lead? How does lead get into my water?
Lead is a natural element found in small amounts in the earth's crust. Lead can enter drinking water when the water touches materials that have lead. These materials can include lead service lines that connect your house to the water main. They can also include lead pipes in your home and parts of your plumbing, including brass faucets and lead solder.
What is a service line?
A water service line is a small, buried pipe that brings water from water mains in the streets into homes and other buildings. If any part of the pipe is lead it can release lead into the building’s water.
Who owns the service line?
The water service pipe from water main to the meter, including both house-side and street-side portions, is owned solely by the property owner. However, under certain conditions, the City is authorized to repair portions of the service pipe. Maintenance of interior household plumbing is the exclusive responsibility of the property owner.
What are service lines made of?
Service lines can be made of lead, galvanized steel (which may contain lead), plastic, or copper.
Are lead service lines banned?
Federal law banned lead service lines in the late 1980s. Homes built after 1987 in Illinois should not have lead service lines.
What is the City doing to reduce my exposure to lead?
The City has been in compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule through 2024. The City uses corrosion control to prevent lead in pipes from dissolving into drinking water. As requested by Illinois EPA, the City began a corrosion control study in March 2023 to check and optimize its corrosion control methods. This study will go through August 2025.