Drinking Water and Lead | Crystal Lake, IL

Information regarding property owner and City initiated lead service line projects can be found below.

City staff will be collecting applications submitted to leadservicelineprogram@crystallake.org or handed in at the City Hall Community Development counter. Staff hosted two identical presentations at City Hall on July 2, 2024 to provide details about the program and to answer questions.

Lead Service Line General Information

Is Lead in the Groundwater?

Lead is not present in Crystal Lake’s groundwater or treated drinking water.

How Does Lead Enter My Drinking Water?

Lead primarily enters into drinking water through plumbing materials that are located between the water main in the street up to and including fixtures inside of a house. There are three primary sources that can result in lead leaching into drinking water:

Lead Service Lines: A service line is the pipe that connects your house to the water main in the street. Some service lines that run from older homes, usually those built before 1960, are made from lead.
Lead Solder: Solder used to fuse copper pipes together, prior to 1986, typically contained lead.
Faucets and Fixtures: Lead can also corrode from metal faucets and fixtures made from brass, an alloy of copper and zinc that often contains lead impurities, including chrome-plated brass fixtures. Therefore, a home without lead containing solder or lead pipe may still have elevated lead levels due to brass fixtures. Prior to 2014, plumbing fixtures could contain up to 8% lead and be legally defined as “lead free”. But, since 2014, “lead free” refers to fixtures with a lead content of 0.25% or less.

Prior to the 1960's, it was common practice to use lead pipes to connect homes and businesses to water mains under the street. To see if your home may potentially have a lead service line, enter your address in the interactive map found here.

Property Owner Initiated Lead Service Line Replacement Reimbursement Program

Click Here for more Property Owner Initiated LSL Reimbursement Information

The Property Owner Initiated Lead Service Line Replacement Reimbursement Program has been established to provide financial assistance to homeowners with a private side lead service line who desire to replace their lead water service line to reduce the exposure to lead and to mitigate the risk of consuming water that may contain lead. Eligible homeowners may qualify for reimbursement to install a new water service line of approved materials as stated in the Illinois State Plumbing Code and in accordance to the City of Crystal Lake requirements.

City Initiated Capital Improvement Projects and Lead Service Lines

The City of Crystal Lake performs City initiated capital improvement projects each year. Capital improvement projects include roadway resurfacing, City owned building improvements (new windows, roof, parking lots, etc.), water main replacement, and many more large scale improvements. When a capital improvement project includes the replacement of a water main with service lines connecting a building to the water main, there are laws that the City must follow. In August 2021, the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (415 ILCS 5/17.12) was signed into law. Effective January 1, 2022, this act requires the replacement of all lead service lines in the State of Illinois. The law also requires that when a service is repaired or upgraded, the entirety of a lead service line must be replaced. This means that partial service replacements (replacement of the public side while leaving the private side of the service line in place) is no longer permitted when the private side of the service line is a lead pipe. In circumstances where the City is replacing the public water main, the City shall coordinate, fund, and replace the public and private side of the service line when the private side of the service line consists of a lead pipe.

Interactive Lead Service Line Inventory Map

Lead is not present in the City of Crystal Lake source water (groundwater), nor is lead in the City’s treated drinking water. Additionally, the City does not have any water mains that consist of lead pipe. However, if buildings have water service lines made of lead, the lead can enter the drinking water through the corrosion of plumbing materials. The City of Crystal Lake maintains an Interactive Lead Service Line Inventory Map that can be used to search for an address to see what the City has identified a property’s service line material type. To access the map, click here.

Water Testing and Water Filters

FAQ for Lead Service Lines

What is the Property Owner Initiated Lead Service Line Replacement Program?
The Program is a cost share between the City and a property owner to replace the lead service line to a building. The Property Owner finds a contractor to perform the work, and the City will reimburse the agreed to amount according to the Policy. You can read the Policy and the Application form for more information.
How long will the lead service line replacement take for my house?
The majority of the work can be completed in one or two days, with miscellaneous concrete or road repairs taking a couple additional days depending on scheduling. The water will need to be shut off to the building for several hours, but not overnight.
What should I do if I suspect my property has a lead service line, but I haven’t received any communication from the City?
You can read the Policy and the Application form for more information. If you are unsure of the material type of your service line, submit the application with only Section 1 completed. A City staff person will contact you with the next steps.
How much will the City’s cost share program cover?
The cost share amount depends on several factors. In the 2024 policy it ranges from $7,000 to $12,000.
Who can I contact to ask additional questions?
You can email leadservicelineprogram@crystallake.org with additional questions you may have.

Where Can I Learn More about Lead Service Lines from other Agencies?

Lead Service Line Inventory

The City of Crystal Lake is required to provide updated inventory and replacement plans to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Listed below are links to the City submittals.

Lead Service Line Inventory Submitted to the Illinois EPA

Initial Lead Service Line Replacement Plan Submitted to the Illinois EPA

The City of Crystal Lake maintains an Interactive Lead Service Line Inventory Map that can be used to search for an address to see what the City has identified a property’s service line material type. To access the map, click here.