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Lead Service Line Replacement Program
Illinois American Water is currently replacing hundreds of lead service lines each year. The state of Illinois passed legislation to be in effect January 2023, in response we will enhance our efforts of replacing lead service lines across Illinois American Water’s service area. This effort is complicated by the fact that property owners — not Illinois American Water — own these water service lines, much like a homeowner owns the driveway that connects to the public street. Details about the material of an individual property’s service line have been largely unknown and spread across a variety of sources. However, the company is developing a comprehensive inventory showing the location of known and suspected lead service lines in our service area using property records, water quality tests and visual inspection of service lines. Once complete, the company's map will show known service line material inventory.
The company is using this inventory and a sophisticated model, both of which are regularly being updated with new information, to guide decisions about where to look for lead service lines and the timing of replacing these lines. Annually, Illinois American Water will use the model to identify proposed work areas for the following year. The model determines replacement areas based on several factors, including:
- The likelihood that lead/galvanized service lines are in a given area.
- How many properties in a given area are identified as either having or likely to have lead/galvanized service lines.
- The number of critical facilities (e.g. child care facilities, schools) identified as likely to have lead/galvanized service lines.
- The potential to coordinate replacement work with other efforts to minimize or avoid multiple disruptions to the same community.
- Census information and other studies that can be used to identify areas where the population is at higher risk for negative health consequences from potential lead exposure (e.g. children and expectant families, median income below the federal poverty level).
Results from Lead Sampling
The results from samples collected in your water system are included in your annual water quality report (also known as the Consumer Confidence Report) as well as in the Typical Water Quality Summary, both of which can be found on our Water Quality Reports page.
Because service lines, faucet fixtures, household pipes, and/or solder can contribute significantly to the lead and copper levels in tap water, we ask our customers to collect samples in their homes. These samples are collected on a routine basis at homes that are considered vulnerable based on when they were constructed and the materials used. Systems will begin by monitoring once every six months with possible reductions in sampling in coordination with the Illinois EPA regulations. We do this monitoring according to the requirements of the Illinois EPA Lead and Copper Rule and use the results to confirm that our corrosion control strategy is operating as intended.
Water Quality Reports
Not Just Meeting Drinking Water Standards - Surpassing Them
Each year, Illinois American Water proudly presents our Annual Water Quality Report, also referred to as a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). CCR's let consumers know what contaminants, if any, were detected in their drinking water as well as related potential health effects. CCRs also include details about where your water comes from and how it is treated. Additionally, they educate customers on what it takes to deliver safe drinking water and highlight the need to protect drinking water sources.
The EPA regulates about 100 potential contaminants and sets stringent standards for each one. Illinois American Water takes water quality so seriously that seven of our water treatment plants, have been nationally recognized with Directors Awards from the EPA’s Partnership for Safe Water program for surpassing federal and state drinking water standards.
Learn More
Customers can learn more at our More Resources Page.