Lead Service Line Replacement

The Lead Service Line Replacement Program is a City initiative to replace all known lead service lines starting in 2024 and will continue as long as it takes to remove all lead service lines. Through this program, City contractors will replace the entire length of the water service line – from the water main to inside the residence – at no cost to the homeowner.

Lead Pipe Removal is Required by Law

The water supplied by the City complies with all Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) standards, including those for lead. There is no lead situation affecting the quality of Naperville’s water supply, which is regularly treated to prevent lead from the pipes from leaching into the water. However, lead service lines could pose a public health hazard under certain conditions, and municipalities are required by state law to replace all known lead service lines. Naperville is committed to providing clean, safe and reliable drinking water to all customers and is taking an aggressive approach to replace lead service lines.

Lead Water Service Replacement Plan

How to Determine if Your Home Has Lead Service Lines

Less than 1% of all water service lines in Naperville are known to be made of lead. Naperville’s EPA-mandated Lead Water Service Pipe Inventory is available on this map. Property owners may enter their address by clicking on the lower magnifying glass on the right side of the map to see if their home may have lead pipes.

In September 2023, property owners with lead water service lines received notification about the Lead Water Service Replacement Program, along with a copy of a Lead Service Line Replacement Agreement, in the mail.

What to Expect – Lead Service Line Replacement

The water service line into a residence or business contains the following parts (as illustrated in the above graphic):

1. City-owned pipe: The pipe that runs from the water main to the property line.
2. Parkway valve: A valve that is in the public right-of-way used to shut off the water supply to the property.
3. Homeowner-owned pipe: This pipe runs from the property line to the house.
4. Shutoff valve and water meter: The shutoff valve is used to shut off the water supply to the house. The water meter measures the amount of water the customer uses. Both the shutoff valve and water meter are inside the residence.

Through this program, City contractors will remove the entire length – from the water main to inside the residence – of the existing lead water service line and replace it with a copper line at no cost to the homeowner. Workers will use trenchless methods when possible to replace the lead service lines, but the City will agree to restore areas affected by the lead service line replacement process, including landscaping and driveways, if more invasive methods are necessary.

Lead Water Service Line Replacement Agreement

Customers with lead pipes will receive a Lead Water Service Line Replacement Agreement. This agreement between the City and the homeowner outlines the terms of the replacement, including specific work, the access that the City will need to the property, and the homeowner's responsibilities. Completing this agreement is an important step in the process of replacing the lead service lines. This is a summary of that agreement:

What the City will do:

• Replace the lead water service line at no cost to the property owner.
• Enter the property to perform the work, and the owner must grant access.
• Restore the exterior and interior of the property to its former condition after the work is complete. Crews may need to dig up a yard or driveway.
• Warranty the material and workmanship for 12 months.

What the property owner agrees to do:

• Own and maintain the portion of the water service line from the B-Box/curb stop to the water meter.
• Not sue the City or its contractor for any claims or damages related to the work. If there are any problems with the work, the owner will need to resolve them with the City directly.

Terms of agreement:

• The agreement will remain in effect until crews complete the work or two years from the effective date, whichever is longer.
• The agreement may be terminated by either party before the work begins but only by mutual agreement after the work starts.

How to Request a Lead Service Line Assessment

If you believe your property may have lead service lines – and the Water Utility has not contacted you – email leadreplacements@naperville.il.us to request an assessment. For more information about determining if you have a lead service line in your residence, see the Lead 101 section on the Water Quality webpage.

Request a Lead Service Line Assessment

FAQs

1) What is the Lead Service Line Replacement Program? The Lead Service Line Replacement Program is a City initiative to replace all known lead service lines with copper starting in 2024. The project will continue as long as it takes to remove all lead services from the system.

2) How much will the Lead Service Line Replacement cost me? The City will complete this work at no cost to the property owner.

3) How long will the lead service line replacement take? The duration of the replacement process can vary depending on the property’s size, the plumbing’s complexity, and other factors. The City will provide an estimated timeline during the assessment phase.

4) Will the City be responsible for restoring any landscaping or property areas disturbed during the replacement process? Yes, the City will restore any areas affected by the lead service line replacement, including landscaping and interior property features.

5) What should I do if I suspect my property has a lead service line but I haven't received any communication from the City? If you suspect your property may have a lead service line and the Water Utility has not contacted you, please email leadreplacements@naperville.il.us to request an assessment.

6) Who should I contact if I have more questions or concerns about the Lead Service Line Replacement Program? For any additional questions or concerns, you can contact project manager Jacob Parrish directly at (630) 420-4121 or email leadreplacements@naperville.il.us for further information.

7) Where can I find more information about Naperville’s water quality? Visit Naperville’s Water Quality webpage.

8) Does Naperville have a lead pipe rebate program? Yes, this program works by providing a rebate to customers who replace the lead service line on their own. Rebate amounts depend on whether the service line for a dwelling connects across the street or on the house side of the street. Please see the Lead Rebate Program section of the Water Quality Report webpage for more information.

9) Will crews need access to my home to complete this work? Crews will need access to the water meter, typically located in the basement or crawl, to perform the work.

10) When is the deadline for municipalities in Illinois to replace all lead service lines? The deadline for municipalities in Illinois to replace all lead service lines depends upon the number of inventoried lead service lines in the community water supply. For a community water supply distribution system with less than 1,200 lead service lines, such as Naperville, the deadline is 2042. Naperville expects to aggressively beat this deadline and replace all lead service lines much earlier.

Questions?

If you have questions or need further information, please get in touch with Civil-Environmental Engineer Jacob Parrish, Department of Public Utilities - Water/Wastewater, at 630-420-4121 or leadreplacements@naperville.il.us.