Oak Park is developing a program to replace lead water service lines with copper ones, and those who are interested but can’t afford it can see if they qualify to have the work done for free.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant has funds available for the program, according to the village website. For those who qualify, there’s no cost to participate.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lead can be harmful to one’s health even at a low exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency has set the maximum contaminant level goal at zero for lead in drinking water, according to the CDC.
To qualify for the village’s program, an owner must have a service line made of lead or galvanized material, which they can identify using the village’s guide.
The owner’s household income also cannot exceed the program limits, in order to qualify. A full income table can be found online.
The replacement will include swapping an existing lead or galvanized steel water pipe for a one-inch copper pipe. The village is hiring the contractor and will oversee the work, according to its website. The work takes about one day.