Chicago has a lead pipe problem bigger than any other city in the United States. An estimated 400,000 lead service lines connect homes and buildings to the city’s water mains — roughly 80% of all service connections. That’s more lead pipes than the next several cities combined.
The city’s water, drawn from Lake Michigan and treated at two of the world’s largest water treatment plants, meets federal standards at the point of treatment. But between the water main in the street and the tap in your kitchen, those lead service lines can leach lead into your drinking water — especially when water sits in the pipes for several hours or when construction disturbs them.
Why So Many Lead Pipes?
Chicago required lead service lines by city code from 1897 through 1986, when Congress banned the use of lead in new plumbing. During those nine decades, virtually every new home and building connected to the water system with lead pipes. Most other cities allowed or encouraged lead pipes during portions of that era, but few mandated them as Chicago did.
The result: an estimated 400,000 lead service lines still in the ground today, serving a city of 2.7 million people.
What the EPA Requires
In October 2024, the EPA finalized the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which requires water systems nationwide to replace all lead service lines within 10 years. For Chicago, that means replacing roughly 400,000 pipes by 2037 — an enormous logistical and financial challenge.
The EPA estimates that approximately 4 million lead service lines exist across the United States. Chicago alone accounts for about 10% of the national total.
Before the LCRI, the city had been replacing lead service lines at a pace of roughly 700 to 800 per year through voluntary programs. At that rate, full replacement would take over 500 years. The new federal mandate requires a dramatic acceleration.
The Cost
Replacing a single lead service line typically costs between $5,000 and $15,000, depending on the depth and length of the pipe, soil conditions, and whether the homeowner’s portion is included. At 400,000 lines, Chicago faces total replacement costs potentially exceeding $4 billion.
Federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has allocated billions nationwide for lead pipe replacement, and Illinois has received substantial allocations through the State Revolving Fund. Chicago has also established its own lead service line replacement program with dedicated city funding.
Still, the gap between available funding and the total cost remains significant.
Is Chicago’s Water Safe to Drink?
Chicago’s treated water consistently meets EPA standards for lead at the point of treatment. The city adds phosphate to the water supply, which creates a protective coating inside lead pipes and reduces — but doesn’t eliminate — lead leaching.
However, several factors can increase lead exposure from Chicago’s tap water:
- Standing water. Water that sits in lead pipes for several hours (overnight, during vacations, during the day while you’re at work) can absorb more lead. The EPA recommends flushing your tap for 3 to 5 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.
- Construction and water main work. When water mains are repaired or replaced, vibrations and pressure changes can disturb the protective coating inside lead pipes, temporarily increasing lead levels.
- Hot water. Hot water dissolves lead more readily than cold water. Always use cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula.
- Home age. Homes built before 1986 in Chicago almost certainly have lead service lines. Homes built before 1930 may also have lead pipes in the internal plumbing.
What Chicago Homeowners Should Do
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Check your service line. The city’s lead service line map (available on the Chicago Department of Water Management website) shows which properties have confirmed or likely lead service lines. You can also check by finding where the water line enters your home — lead pipes are dull gray and soft enough to scratch with a key or coin.
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Test your water. Chicago offers free lead testing kits to residents. Request one through the city’s website or by calling 311. The EPA’s action level for lead is 15 parts per billion (ppb), but no level of lead exposure is considered completely safe.
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Use a certified filter. NSF/ANSI 53-certified water filters — including many pitcher filters and faucet-mount filters — are effective at reducing lead. Look for certification specifically for lead reduction, not just taste and odor.
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Flush before using. Run the cold water tap for 3 to 5 minutes before drinking, especially in the morning or after the water has been sitting for several hours. This flushes out water that’s been in contact with lead pipes.
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Use cold water for cooking. Never use hot tap water for cooking, drinking, or preparing baby formula. Heat increases lead absorption.
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Sign up for replacement. Check the city’s lead service line replacement program for eligibility. The program covers the cost of replacing the city-owned portion of the service line (from the water main to the property line), and some programs assist with the homeowner-side portion as well.
The Race Against the Clock
Chicago’s challenge is unprecedented in scale. Replacing 400,000 lead service lines within the EPA’s 10-year window requires replacing roughly 40,000 pipes per year — a 50-fold increase from the pre-mandate pace. The city has been ramping up, but meeting the 2037 deadline will require sustained political will, contractor capacity, and funding far beyond current levels.
For comparison, Newark, New Jersey replaced approximately 23,000 lead service lines in about three years — often cited as one of the fastest replacement programs in the country. But Newark had roughly 18,000 to 23,000 lines to replace. Chicago needs to do that same volume every single year for a decade.
What This Means for Your Family
If you live in Chicago and your home was built before 1986, the odds are high that you have a lead service line. That doesn’t mean your water is unsafe to drink — the city’s phosphate treatment provides significant protection. But it does mean you should take precautions, especially if you have young children, are pregnant, or are formula-feeding an infant.
Lead exposure is most dangerous for children under six, where even low levels can affect brain development, learning, and behavior. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children.
If you’re concerned about your water quality in Chicago, a certified water treatment professional can test your water and advise on filtration solutions appropriate for your home and family.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (2024), EPA Lead Service Line data (7th DWINSA Update), City of Chicago Department of Water Management, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocations