Elgin Lead Service Line Replacement Program
Elgin serves about 114,797 people and reported 8,221 lead and 1 galvanized service lines that must be replaced, out of 34,663 lines, in EPA's Q3 2026 inventory, plus 1,465 lines of unknown material. Here's who pays to replace yours, what it costs, and how to sign up.
Free, citywide by 2036
Elgin committed $150 million over several years to replace every lead service line in the city at no cost to homeowners, aiming to be lead-free by 2036. About 11,000 of 34,000 households are on lead lines. Homes built in 1988 or earlier qualify for free water tests and filters. The city's online dashboard shows progress and lets you look up your address.
How to get it
- Look up your address at elginIL.gov/lead.
- Request a free water test and filter if your home was built in 1988 or earlier.
- Call 311 (847-931-6001 from outside Elgin) to ask when your street is scheduled.
Sources: dailyherald.com, abc7chicago.com
Lead lines in Elgin
The most recent 90th-percentile lead result EPA lists for this system is 18.5 parts per billion (2026-01 to 2026-06). Under the new federal rule, the action level drops to 10 ppb in 2027. EPA data flags this system for exceeding the lead action level at least once. Galvanized lines count if they ever sat downstream of a lead pipe, because they can hold lead particles. Unknown lines must be identified by the utility, and many turn out to be lead.
How Elgin compares: it ranks #60 of 7,556 U.S. water systems and #8 of 397 in Illinois for lead and galvanized lines. 23.7% of its service lines need replacing, compared with 23.8% across Illinois. See the national ranking.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory, Q3 2026 · Utility phone: 847-931-6744 · PWSID IL0894380
Elgin lead service line map: check your address
Every water utility had to publish an inventory of its service lines, and most offer an address lookup map. Start with Elgin's official lead program page, which links to its lookup or explains how to get your line checked. The status will be lead, galvanized requiring replacement, non-lead or unknown. If it's unknown, you can usually check the pipe yourself and send the utility a photo.
Communities and ZIP codes served
ZIP codes: 60120, 60123
Who pays in Illinois?
Illinois was one of the first states to require full replacement of every lead service line. Each water supply must file a final replacement plan by April 15, 2027, then replace a set share of its lead lines every year, on a timeline of 15 to 50 years depending on how many it has. A utility may bill the owner for the private side only if it is not using state or federal money for that work, and an owner can sign a waiver to decline private-side replacement. Illinois EPA lends to water systems and forgives part of the loan in lower-income communities, which is why many Illinois programs are free.
The law: Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (415 ILCS 5/17.12). Mandatory? Yes. Illinois requires every community water supply to replace all lead service lines, and partial replacements have been banned since January 1, 2022. Funding: Illinois EPA Public Water Supply Loan Program (with principal forgiveness for disadvantaged communities).
Sources: news.wttw.com, agendadocs.downers.us
Nationwide, EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most utilities to replace every lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement line by December 31, 2037, starting November 1, 2027. Utilities must mail a notice every year to each home with a lead, galvanized or unknown line. See the federal timeline.
What would you pay?
Many utility loans are 0% (enter 0). Private loans run higher. Your real price depends on how far the house sits from the street, digging versus trenchless methods, permits and restoration. This is an estimate, not a quote.
Not covered, or can't wait?
Get up to 3 quotes from licensed plumbers who replace service lines in Elgin.
Common questions
Is lead service line replacement free in Elgin?
Free. Elgin committed $150 million over several years to replace every lead service line in the city at no cost to homeowners, aiming to be lead-free by 2036.
Is lead service line replacement mandatory in Elgin?
Yes. Illinois requires every community water supply to replace all lead service lines, and partial replacements have been banned since January 1, 2022.
How much does it cost to replace a lead service line in Elgin?
If you qualify for Elgin's program, the private side costs you nothing. Most private-side replacements cost about $4,000 to $10,000, and long or difficult lines can run higher. Price depends on the distance from the street to your house, whether the contractor digs a trench or pulls the new pipe through (trenchless), permits, and restoring your lawn, sidewalk or basement wall. That's what you'd pay if you replace it on your own or don't qualify.
How do I know if my home has a lead service line?
Look up your address on Elgin's service line inventory or check the letter it mailed you. You can also check the pipe where it enters your basement, usually near the meter: lead is dull gray, soft, and turns shiny silver when you scratch it with a key, and a magnet won't stick. Galvanized steel is gray too, but a magnet sticks to it. See our step-by-step guide.
What if I can't afford to replace my lead line?
Ask Elgin about income-based help first; federal money often makes replacement free for low-income owners. Other options are utility payment plans, 0% city loans, state revolving fund programs, property tax assessments and home improvement loans. Our guide on paying for replacement lists them.
Who owns the water service line?
In most U.S. cities the utility owns the pipe from the water main to the curb stop or property line, and the property owner owns the rest, into the house. Some utilities, including Minneapolis and many in St. Louis County, treat the whole line as the owner's. Federal rules now require utilities to replace the whole lead line, not just their part.
Other Illinois programs
Chicago ✓Aurora ✓Rockford ✓Cicero ✓Peoria ✓Berwyn ✓Evanston ✓Oak Park ✓Waukegan ✓Decatur ✓
Something out of date? Report a change. We recheck program terms at least once a year.