Lead Service FAQs

Yes. The EPA’s lead standard is an action level that requires treatment modifications if lead test results exceed 15 parts per billion (ppb) in more than 10 percent of first draw samples taken from household taps. Illinois American Water regularly tests for lead at the end of its treatment process. Our testing has shown that lead is not an issue in the water exiting any of our water treatment facilities. We also conduct tests in our distribution system in accordance with the EPA regulatory requirements. In addition, we take steps to reduce the potential of lead leaching from service lines and household pipes into the water by managing the pH levels in the water leaving our treatment facilities and adding a corrosion inhibitor where needed. Learn more at leadfacts.

Not necessarily. You might have lead in your drinking water if your service line, household plumbing or fixtures contain lead. Homes built before 1930 are more likely to have lead plumbing systems. Lead pipes are dull grey in color and scratch easily revealing a shiny surface. If your house was built before January 1986, you are more likely to have lead-soldered joints on copper piping. Lead solder is a silver or grey color. If you do, the chance of the lead leaching into your drinking water is greater when water has been standing in the pipes for more than six hours.

You cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling water will not remove lead. Here are steps you can take to reduce your potential exposure if lead exists in your home plumbing:

• Flush your taps. The longer the water lies dormant in your home’s plumbing, the more lead it might contain. If the water in your faucet has gone unused for more than six hours, flush the tap with cold water for 30 seconds to two minutes before drinking or using it to cook. To conserve water, catch the running water and use it to water your plants.
• Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water has the potential to contain more lead than cold water. If hot water is needed for cooking, heat cold water on the stove or in the microwave. 
• Routinely remove and clean all faucet aerators.
• Look for the “Lead Free” label when replacing or installing plumbing fixtures.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacing water filters in household appliances, such as refrigerators and ice makers, as well as home water treatment units and pitchers. Look for NSF 53 certified filters. Customers can also look for NSF 42 certified filers which will help with turbidity concerns. 
• Flush after plumbing changes. Changes to your service line, meter, or interior plumbing may result in sediment, possibly containing lead, in your water supply. Remove the strainers from each faucet and run the water for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Routinely clean faucet screens. Sediment and metals can collect in the faucet screen located at the tip of your faucets. Replace screens that are in poor condition. New screens are available at local hardware stores. Click here for instructions on how to clean your faucet screen.

For customers with lead service lines, solder or fixtures, yes. The longer the water lies dormant in your home’s plumbing, the more lead it might contain. If the water in your faucet has gone unused for more than six hours, flush the tap with cold water for 30 seconds to two minutes before drinking or using it to cook. To conserve water, catch the running water and use it to water your plants.

You can have your water tested for lead. Since you cannot see, taste or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of knowing.

Illinois American Water does not provide testing for lead for individual customers who request it. Customers can choose to have their water tested at their cost at a certified laboratory. Lead test strips that test for the presence of lead in plumbing are also available at hardware stores. For more information, contact EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act Hotline: 1-800-426-4791 or visit the Illinois EPA. 

The need for a home treatment device is a customer decision. If you choose to purchase a home filter, NSF International created a Consumer Guide to NSF Certified Lead Filtration Devices for Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water. For more information, visit www.nsf.org/info/leadfiltrationguide. Always consult the device manufacturer for information on treatment device maintenance and potential impacts to your drinking water or household plumbing. The EPA also offers information on identifying drinking water filters, you can find information here.

A water service line is a pipe that connects a customer’s house or building to the water main in the street. Typically, the service line is less than 2-inches in diameter and is made of various material. The most common material in use is copper, however other materials have been used including, but not limited to, galvanized steel, iron, plastic lead, and others.

The Water Company owns a portion of the service line, typically from the main to the curb stop, found near the street curb or sidewalk. The property owner owns the rest of the service line (from curb stop) all the way into the house or building being served. See diagram.

The Company replaces several thousand of its service lines annually as part of its asset renewal program. Property owners may choose to replace their portion for various reasons. The customer (through the property owner) is responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of the portion owned by the property owner if needed as a result of a repair.

During planned service line replacement projects, the Company provides the customer with specific information on the project and general guidance on flushing the new service line.

Over the years, plumbers have used many different materials, most commonly copper, plastic, lead, galvanized steel and others. If we find lead or a combination of lead and galvanized piping during a main replacement project, we will contact you to discuss replacing your service line. Replacing lead service lines reduces your potential exposure to lead.

Each year, Illinois American Water invests millions of dollars in upgrading our water infrastructure to support our continued delivery of safe and reliable water service to you. When it comes to lead/galvanized service line replacements, we prioritize these replacements in conjunction with main replacement, rehabilitation, and relocation projects using the Company’s prioritization model. This prioritization model is a sophisticated computer model that ‘ranks’ mains based on more than a dozen variables and allows our teams to make informed decisions. Service lines are also replaced independently of water main replacements. Those independent replacements are completed in conjunction with our regulatory required meter change replacements to minimize the number of times lead/galvanized lines are disturbed and potential lead containing sediment is released.

Once work areas are identified, the company will determine the timing for individual properties in that work area. Once a property has been identified as qualifying for a service line replacement, the company will send additional information about the replacement process and next steps. Qualifying properties will receive service line replacements at no direct cost to the property owner. Replacement notification typically comes a about two months before the anticipated replacement date.

The company will not be replacing lead and/or galvanized service lines upon request, but rather as a programmed and planned activity to achieve as many economies of scale as possible in completing lead and/or galvanized service line replacements. If a customer chooses to replace their own line, ahead of the Illinois American Water scheduled replacement, however, costs will not be covered or reimbursed by Illinois American Water. Additionally, they must notify Illinois American Water by calling 1-800-422-2782 so we can determine if needed and coordinate the utility owned replacement. Please note, if the utility-owned line is also made of lead and/or galvanized steel, we do not recommend replacing only the customer-owned side, as science has shown an elevation in lead levels when a lead and/or galvanized service line is only partially replaced. The recommended course of action is to replace the entire line (utility-owned and customer-owned) at the same time.

As part of the updated lead and copper regulations, if a customer refuses to have the customer-owned portion of the service line replaced, Illinois American Water will proceed with replacing the utility-owned portion of the service line and will connect the new service to the existing service at the customer property line. Illinois American Water will communicate with the customer about lead and drinking water, health effects, exposures to lead, flushing recommendations, ways to reduce exposure to lead, testing for lead, frequently asked questions, and further contact information. In accordance with the regulation, if a property owner refuses and/or fails to respond to have their service line replaced Illinois American Water is required to provide the property owner information to Illinois Department of Public Health.

The updated legislation, ILHB3739, only relates to the utility-owned and customer-owned outdoor portion of the service line, up to 18 inches inside the home. For questions, or concerns regarding indoor plumbing property owners should contact a licensed plumber.

You can find out more information by visiting our More Resources page.

If the customer-owned portion of your service line is made of lead or qualifying galvanized material, we’d like to work with you to replace it at no direct cost to you. Under a signed agreement with each customer, Illinois American Water crews and contractors will perform the work, cover the cost, and provide a 1-year warranty. The customer will retain ownership of the new water service line once installed.

Here’s what to expect:

1. VERIFY YOUR SERVICE LINE MATERIAL. Service line material will be verified either through our customer self-reporting survey or visual inspection in the field. Once confirmed, your line will be placed on the replacement list.
2. WE’LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN WORK IS READY TO BEGIN. If identified as lead or qualifying galvanized, we’ll reach out prior to any planned main replacement or scheduled meter change work. We’ll need your approval, however, to replace the homeowner portion of the line. Replacing the entire lead portion of the service line at this time can help you better manage your risk of potential exposure to lead in drinking water.
3. AGREE TO HAVE YOUR LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACED. First, we’ll meet with you to discuss the project specifics and how to prepare the work area. Then, before we can proceed, the property owner must sign and return an agreement to allow our contractor to work on your property.
4. WE’LL REPLACE THE LEAD SERVICE LINE. Our contractor will install the new water service line. Once a project is initiated, the service line replacement generally can be done in one day; the larger main replacement project this work is connected to may take several weeks or months to complete. You may want to store a few gallons of water for drinking while the replacement work is being done. Lawn, driveway or sidewalk restoration work will take place approximately 90 days following the project’s completion. There’s no need for you to be home while we complete the restoration.
5. FLUSH YOUR PLUMBING. Your household plumbing will need to be thoroughly flushed to remove any pipe scale that may have come loose during the course of the work. This step should be completed BEFORE you consume tap water or use hot water. This also is a good time to clean aerators. We’ll provide you with printed instructions for initial and ongoing maintenance flushing. Our contractor will coordinate with you to perform the initial flush. Flushing instructions will be provided to you and can also be found here. It is very important to complete proper flushing following the replacement.
6. SAMPLE OFFER. Between 3 and 6 months after the replacement, we’ll contact you via postcard to offer a water sample. Information on how to respond and receive the sample kit will be provided at that time.

Costs for replacements initiated by Illinois American Water are covered by Illinois American Water. If a customer chooses to replace their own line, ahead of the Illinois American Water scheduled replacement, however, costs will not be covered or reimbursed by Illinois American Water. Additionally, they must notify Illinois American Water by calling 1-800-422-2782 so we can determine if needed and coordinate the utility owned replacement. Please note, if the utility-owned line is also made of lead and/or galvanized steel, we do not recommend replacing only the customer-owned side, as science has shown an elevation in lead levels when a lead and/or galvanized service line is only partially replaced. The recommended course of action is to replace the entire line (utility-owned and customer-owned) at the same time.