Chicago lead service line replacement
Short answer
Chicago replaces the full lead service line for free, plus a free water meter, for owner-occupants of 1–2 unit homes with household income below 80% of area median income ($83,350 for a family of 4, per Lead-Safe Chicago). Funding is limited; priority goes to homes with kids 18 and under or elevated lead test results.
- Official sources
- Last checked:
- Free, no sign-up
| Utility | Chicago Department of Water Management |
|---|---|
| Program | Equity Lead Service Line Replacement Program |
| Type | Free (income-qualified) |
| Phone | 312-744-1780 (Equity program assistance, per DWM application packet); 311 |
| Scale | almost 400,000 (Lead-Safe Chicago) |
| Official page | www.leadsafechicago.org/equity-lead-service-line-replacement... |
Who qualifies
- Own and live in the home (single-family or two-flat)
- Household income below 80% of area median income ($83,350 for a family of 4, as posted by Lead-Safe Chicago)
- Priority: children 18 and under in the home, or elevated lead in a free city water test
- Program size limited by available funding
How to apply
- Request a free lead test by calling 311 or at chicagowaterquality.org
- Complete the online Equity LSLR application at leadsafechicago.org
- Submit income and ownership documents when contacted (applications are incomplete until all documents are in)
- Meet the City-provided contractor and agree to the work
- After replacement, flush per instructions and request free follow-up testing
Good to know
Homeowner-Initiated Program: if you hire your own licensed contractor, the City waives permit fees (Lead-Safe Chicago says up to $5,000 in one place and up to $3,100 in another), connects the new line to the main, and provides a free water meter.
More official links: Lead-Safe Chicago: water / LSLR
“They basically stop short of asking you for a DNA sample”
Your next steps, in order
Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Plumber quotes are a referral service that is free to you, paid by providers, and your details are shared with them. We always show free programs first. Read our full disclosure.
1. Use the free or low-cost program first
Many utilities replace lines at no cost or offer no-interest loans.
Go to the official program2. Test your water
Some cities test free (Chicago: call 311). Otherwise a certified-lab mail-in kit is an option.
Tap Score test kit (affiliate link, placeholder)3. While you wait, consider a certified filter
Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for lead reduction.
NSF/ANSI 53 filters on Amazon (affiliate, placeholder)If the free program covers your line, you’re done. You don’t need step 4.
4. Not eligible or can’t wait? Compare plumbers
Before hiring, ask your utility whether you need pre-approval so you don’t lose program help.
Plumber quotes (referral, coming soon)
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