Illinois EPA Announces Nearly $4 Million in Loan Forgiveness to the City of Calumet City to Replace Lead Service Lines

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, March 29 - Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim today announced $4 million in funding to the City of Calumet City (Cook County) to replace lead service lines in the community. The funding is provided through the Illinois EPA's State Revolving Fund (SRF), which provides low-interest loan funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. The City of Calumet City (City) will not have to repay any of the funding.

"Lead service lines present a challenge to all communities, and we are pleased to support Calumet City in taking action to remove this public health threat from their community water system," said Director Kim. "Illinois EPA continues to prioritize the identification and removal of lead service lines throughout our state's drinking water systems through funding opportunities and technical support."

The City plans to replace approximately 333 lead services lines within the community with this funding. According to the most recent Service Line Material Inventory Report, Calumet City has over 4,000 known lead service lines in the community water supply. Service lines are small pipes that carry drinking water from the water mains into homes. Many older homes built prior to 1990 may have lead service lines or lead containing plumbing fixtures or faucets. Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body over time. Lead can enter drinking water when corrosion of pipes and/or fixtures occurs. Eliminating lead service lines in homes will help to reduce lead exposure for residents. For resources on lead in your home, visit: https://epa.illinois.gov/general-information/in-your-home/resources-on-lead.html.

Since State Fiscal Year 2017, the Illinois EPA has provided lead service line replacement (LSLR) principal forgiveness for projects directly related to activities that reduce or eliminate lead from potable water. To date, Illinois EPA has provided over $93 million in funding for lead service line replacement. LSLR principal forgiveness is available up to a maximum amount of $4 million per loan recipient until the allotted funds are expended.

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Illinois EPA Announces Nearly $4 Million in Loan Forgiveness to the City of Calumet City to Replace Lead Service Lines

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