Farmers Weekly Review

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim today announced $4,008,461 in funding to the City of Joliet (Will and Kendall) to replace lead service lines throughout the community.

The funding is provided through the Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund (SRF), which provides low-interest loan funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects.

“Lead service line replacement is a priority in the State of Illinois, and we are committed to assisting our community water supplies with accessing vital funding to remove lead service lines from their drinking water infrastructure,” said Director Kim. “This funding will help the City of Joliet alleviate potential lead exposure within the community stemming from lead service lines.”

The City will replace approximately 557 lead services lines with copper service lines as well as water meters that contain led. This is year five of a five-year Lead Service Line Replacement Program for the City. Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body over time. Lead can enter drinking water when corrosion of pipes and/or fixtures occurs. Service lines are small pipes that carry drinking water from water mains into homes. Many homes built prior to 1990 may have lead service lines or lead containing plumbing fixtures or faucets. Eliminating lead service lines in homes will help to reduce lead exposure for residents. For resources on lead in your home, visit: https://epa.illinois.gov/general-information/in-your-home/resources-on-lead.html.

In State Fiscal Years (SFY) 2017-2023, under the Water Infrastructure Fund Transfer Act allotment, the Illinois EPA provided $122 million in funding for Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) for projects directly related to activities that reduce or eliminate lead from potable water. In SFY 2024, Illinois EPA has awarded over $13 million in LSLR funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To learn more about Illinois EPA’s SRF, visit https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/grants-loans/state-revolving-fund.html.