Lead pipe replacement cost in Illinois (2026)

What homeowners pay, by utility

Local cost figures

• Decatur: Decatur says private service line replacement typically costs $2,000 to $7,000.
• Skokie: Skokie owners pay a fixed share of about $3,090 to $3,130; the village covers the rest.
• Quincy: Quincy's plan estimates about $6,375 for a private-side replacement in year one, rising 5% a year.
• Moline: Moline says a replacement typically costs about $11,000.
• River Grove: River Grove puts a single replacement at $6,000 to $16,000.
• Downers Grove: Downers Grove estimates $7,000 to $10,000 or more for a new service line.
• South Holland: South Holland puts the typical replacement cost at about $10,000 per house.

What drives the price in Illinois

• Length of the line from the curb stop to the house, and whether the meter is inside.
• Depth. Service lines in Illinois are buried below the frost line, often five feet or more, which means deeper pits and more digging than in warm states.
• Trenchless or open trench. Pulling a new pipe through the old path from two small pits usually costs less to restore than a full trench.
• Permits and the public side. Some cities charge permit and street-opening fees, and a few make the owner pay to cut the street.
• Restoration of lawns, driveways, sidewalks and basement walls, which free programs often limit.

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. For fiscal year 2026, EPA allotted $295,551,000 to Illinois for lead service line replacement through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and at least $144,819,990 of it must go out as grants or forgivable loans. Compare every state.

What would you pay?

Contractor quote or estimate ($) Utility pays (%) Utility cap ($, blank = none) Finance the rest?No, pay in cash5-year loan10-year loan15-year loan Loan interest rate (%)

Utility covers—

You pay—

Monthly—

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.

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Common questions

How much does it cost to replace a lead service line in Illinois?

Most homeowners who pay for the private side of a lead service line spend about $4,000 to $10,000. In Illinois, 24 of the 122 utilities we track replace it for free (at least for eligible owners), 9 share the cost, and 1 offer financing.

Who pays for lead pipe replacement 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.

Is lead service line replacement tax deductible or taxable?

Replacement paid for by a utility or government program is not taxable income (IRS Announcement 2024-10). Paying for it yourself is generally a home improvement, not a deductible expense; ask a tax professional about your case.

Related: all Illinois programs · national cost guide · hiring a contractor