Village offers residents cost-sharing program to cover private-side lead water service line replacement
Following a State law mandating full replacement of all lead water service lines in Illinois, the Village is launching a new cost-sharing program to limit expenses for property owners as it removes lead services from the water distribution system over the next several decades.
A shared responsibility
Water service lines bring drinking water from the public water distribution system into your home.
- The Village is responsible for the portion of the water service line between the water main, located under the street, and the shut off, typically located near the property line.
- Property owners are responsible for the portion of the water service line between the shut off and the building.
Until 1986, lead was a common material used for water service lines. Newer water service lines are made of copper.
How does the program work?
The Village’s cost-sharing program will limit the property owner’s cost of replacing the private side of their lead water service line to $3,000 – half of the typical $6,000 cost for replacing this portion. The Village will be responsible for the remaining private side replacement cost, as well as replacing the public portion.
Property owners may either make a one-time $3,000 payment or enter into a repayment plan, which would add $53.91 to their water bill each quarter over 15 years. This includes a one percent interest rate.
The cost-sharing program will only apply if:
- A scheduled water main replacement impacts the property
- A scheduled lead service line replacement impacts the property
- A lead service line develops a leak or the Village initiates other related repairs
The cost-sharing program will not apply if the homeowner undertakes a home improvement project requiring replacement of their service line, or if they elect to replace the private portion of the lead water service line outside of the Village’s schedule. However, even in cases when cost sharing does not apply, the Village will still replace the public portion of the lead service line. Partial lead service line replacements are no longer permitted.
How will the Village notify me if/when I qualify for this program?
The Village will notify you directly when your property qualifies for this program. The Village estimates that there are currently 11,000 lead service lines remaining within the Village, and that it will take approximately 30 years to complete full replacement of these services.
Do your part: Complete the survey
Visit skokie.org/lead and fill out the water service line material survey to assist the Village in completing an inventory of all Skokie water services. Your assistance is greatly appreciated and will help the Village as it undertakes this important, generational project.