Under the Illinois mandate, the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act, community water systems, like Oak Park, are required to develop an inventory to identify the material of all water service lines in their jurisdiction. If lead service lines are identified, community water systems are required to develop a comprehensive plan to replace those service lines within a required timeframe. In accordance with the law, the Village of Oak Park submitted a draft lead service line replacement plan in April 2024 and will submit a final plan by 2027.
The first requirement of the Act is to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive Water Service Line Material Inventory identifying and documenting the materials that currently make up all of the water service lines within Oak Park. The Village is in compliance with this requirement through the submission of annual inventories.
While the Village has identified the material of most water service lines in Oak Park, there are still water service lines whose material is unknown. If your property still shows as unknown or you believe the material identified is incorrect, please help us by completing the Village’s Water Service Line Survey.
Also, in accordance with the Act, if the Village has identified that your property has a lead water service line, you will be contacted via mail annually with information regarding ways to reduce exposure and available resources.
Lead Water Service Replacement Grant
The Village of Oak Park Water Distribution and Neighborhood Services divisions have developed a program to replace lead water service lines with copper water service lines for low-income residents. A free lead service line replacement is offered to individuals who may not be able to afford it through conventional means. Funding for the program is made possible through the Community Development Block Grant program.
There is no cost to participate in the program for those who qualify. Replacement is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. An existing lead or galvanized steel water pipe will be replaced with a 1″ copper pipe. The Village will hire the contractor and oversee the work, which is typically completed in one day.
In order to qualify for participation in the program, the following conditions must be met:
- Verify that the owner side service line is made of lead or galvanized material. If you are unsure, click here to view information on how to identify a lead water service pipe.
- Household income does not exceed program limits. An income table for 2024 is shown below.
| Household Size | Very-Low Income 0-30% of Median |
Low Income 31-50% of Median |
Moderate Income 51-80% of Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $26,300 | $39,250 | $62,800 |
| 2 Person | $26,950 | $44,850 | $71,800 |
| 3 Person | $30,300 | $50,450 | $80,750 |
| 4 Person | $33,650 | $56,050 | $89,700 |
| 5 Person | $36,350 | $60,550 | $96,900 |
| 6 Person | $39,050 | $65,050 | $104,100 |
| 7 Person | $41,750 | $69,550 | $111,250 |
| 8 Person | $44,450 | $74,000 | $118,450 |
For more information, or with questions, please call 708.358.5413 or email housing@oak-park.us.
Lead Abatement Program
Residential Properties
The program is for residential properties that elect to upgrade their whole water service. For residential properties that are either single family or multi-unit residential buildings and have a lead water service line in the Village right of way (main to b-box), property owners would be eligible for the Lead Water Service Line Replacement Abatement Program using the following criteria:
Under this program, the Village will construct, at no expense to the property owner, a new 1 inch water service, or equivalent size of existing, from the watermain up to and including a new B-Box to be located in the parkway, approximately 2 feet behind the back of curb. If the new water service from the watermain to the B-Box is requested to be of a larger diameter than a 1-inch line or existing, the property owner is responsible for funding the material cost in excess of a 1-inch diameter service or existing size. This difference in material cost will be based on the current cost of the material at the time of installation.
This program only applies to properties served by lead water services up to a 2-inch diameter water service line. Service lines larger than 2-inch diameter are traditionally iron pipe, which does not meet the purpose of this program. If a property owner elects to upsize to larger than 2-inch, they will be responsible to pay and replace the entire service.
Property owners requesting an upgrade to the Village side where the service line is compliant with the minimum construction requirements of 1-inch copper or approved material, the Owner will be responsible for installation of the new water service up to the water main (including the Village fee for the new tap on the watermain and disconnection of the old service) and for any street, curb, sidewalk, and parkway restoration associated with the new water service installation.
Commercial Properties
Do Not Qualify
For more information, or with questions, please call 708.358.5700 or email mbills@oak-park.us.