Chicago Homeowners Get Free Lead Pipe Replacement: Your Complete Guide to City Programs and Plumbing Requirements

If you own a home in Chicago built before 1986, there’s a good chance your property has lead service lines that could be putting your family’s health at risk. The good news? Chicago is offering free lead service line replacement programs worth up to $30,000 for qualifying homeowners, making this essential safety upgrade accessible to residents who need it most.

Understanding Chicago’s Lead Service Line Challenge

Chicago has almost 400,000 lead service lines that need replacement – more than any other city in the United States. If you live in a house or two-flat built before 1986, there is a high likelihood that your water service line is made of lead unless it was replaced during renovation or an addition. These pipes transport water from the main in the street directly into your home, potentially exposing your family to dangerous lead levels.

According to a study published last year, two-thirds of the city’s youngest children — under 6 years old — live in homes with tap water containing detectable levels of lead. This makes understanding and accessing Chicago’s replacement programs crucial for protecting your family’s health.

Free Replacement Programs Available to Homeowners

Chicago offers several programs to help homeowners replace their lead service lines at no cost or significantly reduced expense:

Equity Lead Service Line Replacement Program

Under this program, you may be eligible for a free lead service line replacement all the way from the water main into your home plus installation of a free water meter if you have a household income below 80% of the area median income ($83,350 for a family of 4) and live in a home that you own. Priority replacement will be given to residents who also have kids 18 and under in their home or have had elevated lead in their water.

Homeowner-Initiated Program

If a residential homeowner wants to hire a contractor and remove the existing lead service line, the City of Chicago is launching a program to waive the permit fees for the project. This could amount to a savings of up to $3,100. Additionally, the City will attach the new service line to the water main and provide a free water meter for the contractor to install.

Emergency Replacement Program

If your service line breaks or leaks and must be repaired, it is now mandatory to call 311 to report it. The Department of Water Management will then contact you and schedule a time to replace both the private and public sides of the line for free.

What the Replacement Process Involves

Replacing a service line requires digging down to the water main in the street and installing a new copper service line from the main all the way into the house. It does require excavating a trench to reach the line which usually runs from the house under the lawn and the parkway out to the street.

With open trench replacements, a trench is dug from the home through the parkway to install the new service and access the water main. Trenchless construction runs the new service to the main underground, causing less disturbance to the surrounding area.

After replacement, using filters that are NSF-53 certified to remove lead is recommended for the first three months after any construction work.

How to Apply and Get Started

The application process is straightforward but requires documentation:

• Call 311 or sign up on chicagowaterquality.org to request a free test for lead
• Submit application documenting household income and home ownership to see if you qualify
• Your application is not considered complete until all the documents have been submitted
• Completed applications will be processed in the order they are received

Working with Professional Plumbers

Whether you’re participating in a city program or hiring your own contractor, working with experienced professionals is essential. You can select your own plumber or refer to the list of plumbing contractors licensed to work in Chicago, and there’s a list of suggested questions you may want to ask when choosing a plumbing contractor.

For Chicago residents seeking reliable plumbing expertise, Plumbing Services Chicago providers like All Rooter Hydro Jetting offer the local knowledge and experience needed for complex projects. All Rooter Hydro Jetting Experts Inc. has been established since 2000 and over the years has been providing professional plumbing services to Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. All Rooter Hydro Jetting Experts Inc. is an experienced plumbing company, doing repairs and services with the power and the resources to bring you the best service available.

All Rooter is dedicated to keeping your plumbing running smoothly and providing honest, reliable service at a fair price. People who need plumbing services in the Chicago area choose All Rooter for local expertise, knowing Chicago’s plumbing inside and out.

Timeline and Future Requirements

The urgency for lead service line replacement is increasing. Beginning in January 2023, a new state law bans partially replacing lead service lines. Instead, a lead service line must always be completely replaced. Chicago is required to replace its lead pipes within about 20 years instead of 50-plus years under new federal EPA regulations.

Chicago Department of Water Management is ramping up its replacement speeds. The city will replace 8,000 lines this year, but with hundreds of thousands of lines still needing replacement, homeowners shouldn’t wait to explore their options.

Take Action Now

Don’t wait to protect your family’s health. Start by calling 311 to request a free water test and learn about your eligibility for Chicago’s lead service line replacement programs. If you need professional plumbing guidance or services, experienced local contractors can help you navigate the process and ensure your home’s plumbing meets all current safety standards.

Remember, lead is a toxic substance that has been proven to cause various health problems like brain damage, cancer, and heart attacks. If you know that you have lead pipes in your home’s plumbing, your entire household is at risk of lead poisoning, and you should get the pipes replaced as soon as possible.