Rushing Progress on Chicago’s Lead Pipe Problem

Posted on December 5, 2024

By Frances Clinite, C2ST Intern, Loyola University

During my first year of school, my roommate pulled out a massive case of water bottles from the shelf in our college-town Target. As an environmental major, I was mortified. I asked her why she would buy plastic water bottles when we have access to high-quality drinking water from Lake Michigan. Tap water is more regulated than most plastic water bottles anyway. She was worried that lead or other contaminants could end up in our drinking water. That night, I researched if our dorm was connected to a lead service line using Chicago’s lead service line inventory. Fortunately, it wasn’t. However, up to 2.7 million Chicago residents are at risk of lead exposure from their drinking water. The threat of lead exposure can be intimidating, but federal and local governments have implemented programs to assist Chicagoans and address its adverse health effects.

More than any other U.S. city, Chicago has 400,000 lead service lines alone. In October of last year, President Biden announced a plan to rush the replacement of all lead service lines nationwide under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. So far, the Biden administration has replaced 386,000 lead service lines nationwide. Although Chicago was initially granted a 40-year exception, the timeline was cut in half this October. While the city is under pressure due to time and budget constraints, many community activists view it as long overdue to safeguard the well-being of Chicago residents.

Tracing the Dangers of Lead Exposure

It is well known that lead in drinking water is dangerous. Even with its diverse use throughout history – from makeup to wine – the harmful effects of lead are believed to have been known as early as the second century BC. By the 1800s, researchers began to document accounts of lead poisoning from drinking water and question the use of lead pipes.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Lead is persistent and accumulates in the body over time. Eventually, it can enter the bloodstream, severely damaging the brain and central nervous system. Even at low levels, exposure causes serious risks–especially among young children.

Children under the age of 6 are at highest risk. Their bodies can absorb lead up to 4 to 5 times faster than adults. Exposure to lead in children can result in reduced IQ, slowed growth, and, in severe cases, intellectual disabilities and behavioral problems. Researchers at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health estimate that 68 percent of children in Chicago are at risk of exposure to lead-contaminated water.

Why Are There So Many Lead Pipes in Chicago?

You may be wondering: If lead has been known to be dangerous for so long, why are there so many lead pipes in Chicago? In the 1920s, when local communities began restricting lead pipes, the Lead Industries Association (LIA) had another plan. They mobilized plumbers’ unions, local municipalities, architects, and politicians to protect the lead mining and manufacturing industry. The LIA promoted the advantages of lead over other materials, averting the concerns over lead exposure.

The final outcome: the LIA succeeded. In cities across the U.S., ordinances and municipal codes passed that secured continuing lead pipe installations. In Chicago, the influence was immense. Until 1986, when lead pipes were federally banned, a city code required all homes to install them. In 2023, the city announced its goal to replace 40,000 lead service lines by 2027, an urgent target as the Chicago Department of Water Management reported only 3,777 replacements by December of that year.

How Can Lead Affect My Home?

Sources of lead included indoor pipes, faucet fixtures, and lead service lines. If your home is older than 1986, it is more likely to contain lead through one of these sources. Lead can leach into drinking water when these sources corrode due to highly acidic or low mineral content water.

The City of Chicago is tackling the issue of lead leaching through lead service lines. The city classifies them into either public or private lines. Private lines are located within private property boundaries, typically under homes or front yards, while public lines run under sidewalks and streets.

The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements mandate that the city replace both private and public lines. However, this requires the consent of property owners to replace private lead service lines, emphasizing the importance of local awareness and resources.

Resources for Chicago Residents

With so many lead service lines throughout the city, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed when wanting to protect your health and that of your community. While the city carries a significant responsibility, resources are available for residents to help reduce their exposure.

The City of Chicago offers residents resources through the Lead-Safe Chicago Project. The project includes many resources, such as free at-home water testing kits and a database that shows whether a lead service line serves a property. Lead service lines disproportionately impact low-income households, and the city prioritizes these homes for replacement first. You can find out if you can get a free lead-service line replacement, free water filter set, or waived pipe replacement fees. Check out the links in the resource guide below to see if you qualify for these programs!

Resident Resource Guide –

Is my water service line a lead-pipe service line?

https://sli.chicagowaterquality.org/

Do I qualify for a free lead service line replacement?

https://www.leadsafechicago.org/equity-lead-service-line-replacement-program

Do I qualify for some of my lead service replacement fees to be waived?

https://www.leadsafechicago.org/equity-lead-service-line-replacement-program

How can I get a free water test kit?

https://311.chicago.gov/s/new-service-request?typecodeid=a1Pt0000000Q7fiEAC&language=en_US

Am I eligible for a free water filter set?

https://chicagowaterquality.org/filters#tf-home

What do I do if my service line breaks or leaks? Can it be replaced?