Toxic Lead Water Pipe Replacement
Lead Water Pipe Replacement On Chicago's North Shore
At Biagi Plumbing, your family’s safety, and peace of mind have been our top priority since 1989. We know that hearing about lead pipes—or getting an unexpected notice from your village—can feel stressful. Plumbing jargon and state mandates don’t make it any easier. We’re here to break down what’s going on in plain English and help you figure out the best path forward for your home.
If your North Shore home was built before 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act to prohibit lead in new water pipes, the line bringing fresh water from the street into your home may be made of lead. Replacing it is now required at both the federal and state level. The US EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, finalized in October 2024, direct water systems nationwide to replace lead service lines. Illinois moved earlier still, the state of Illinois is requiring communities to replace these aging lead service lines. Many neighboring villages are already reaching out to homeowners to get the process started.
Are Lead Water Pipes Dangerous?
Yes— over time. According to the US EPA, lead can leach into drinking water from an older service line, and the EPA and CDC agree there is no known safe level of lead in a child’s blood. Corrosion control treatment at the water plant reduces that risk but does not remove it, which is why both federal and state regulators now require the pipe itself to come out.
Does Illinois Require Me to Replace My Lead Pipe?
Yes. Under the Illinois Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (Public Act 102-0613), every community water system in the state must locate and replace all lead water service lines.
- Partial replacement is off the table: Except in narrow circumstances, Illinois no longer permits replacing only part of a lead line — disturbing a lead pipe without removing it can temporarily raise lead levels.
- Full replacement required: Once work begins, the entire pipe from the main in the street to your home must be replaced. Partial replacements can temporarily spike lead levels in your water.
Do I Need to Test My Water for Lead?
Not as a homeowner. Illinois requires testing in schools and childcare facilities, but there is no testing mandate for private homes. Here is how that breaks down:
- School & childcare mandates: State law requires Illinois schools and daycares to test their tap water routinely. Private homeowners are not legally required to test.
- If you want your water tested: Testing is done through a state-certified laboratory and generally runs $15 to $100. The US EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Information page explains how to find a certified lab near you.
- What Biagi Plumbing does: We perform on-site pipe material inspections — we physically inspect the line entering your home to confirm whether it’s lead, copper, or galvanized steel. That tells you what you’re actually dealing with. (We handle pipe inspection and replacement, not laboratory water testing.)
How Can I Tell if I Have a Lead Water Line?
Three ways: check your village’s inventory map, run a quick scratch test yourself, or have us confirm it in person.
- Check your village map: Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Highland Park, and Lake Forest, maintain online databases where you can search your address.
- The scratch test: Find the pipe entering your home, usually near the meter. Lead is dull gray and very soft. Scratch it gently and the metal will shine like a nickel. A magnet will not stick to lead. The EPA’s Protect Your Tap guide walks through the same check with photos.
- Get a professional inspection: Call Biagi Plumbing at (847) 282-3677 We can identify your pipe material in minutes.
How Much Does Lead Pipe Replacement Cost? (And Who Pays?)
A full lead service line replacement typically costs between $4,000 and $12,000, depending on the length and depth of the pipe and the excavation required.
Who pays for the replacement depends on your municipality. We recommend confirming with your village, but here is how local towns generally handle it:
- Lake Forest & Lake Bluff: The homeowner owns the entire line and hires a licensed plumber directly.
- Highland Park: The city handles the public portion under the street, while the homeowner covers the private side.
- Evanston: If the homeowner replaces the private side, the city will replace the public side at no extra cost.
- Glencoe: The village reimburses a capped portion of the private line replacement costs.
- Wilmette & Winnetka: Both villages are actively inventorying service lines and notifying affected homeowners. Check your address on the village map, then call us for a material inspection.
Village programs and grant funding change often. Biagi Plumbing will help you navigate your village’s current cost-share rules and handle the paperwork.
Why Choose Biagi Plumbing for Your Lead Line Replacement?
Replacing a water line shouldn’t mean tearing up your yard.
Serving the North Shore since 1989, Biagi Plumbing uses directional boring (trenchless installation) and camera inspection. This lets us install a new copper line with minimal digging.
Here’s how we make it easy:
- Upfront answers: We verify your pipe material and provide a firm, written estimate before work starts.
- Zero hassle: We pull all required village permits and coordinate directly with your local water department.
- Fast turnaround: Most residential replacements are completed in a single day.
- Full restoration: We restore your yard and manage the final village inspection.
If you’ve received a lead notice or want to schedule an inspection, contact our fully licensed team (IL 055-007124) at (847) 282-3677
today.