Potentially hazardous lead service lines in the village of Wheeling, Illinois’, water system have been replaced.
These replacements are part of an estimated $1.2 million project, according to officials, reported The Daily Herald.
Although there were no dangerous lead levels reported in Wheeling's drinking water, the replacements were underway due to a pending state mandate in Illinois requiring the removal and full replacement of all lead service lines.
Trustees approved the pipe replacement project in Wheeling in 2019, reported The Daily Herald. Consultants and the village identified 110 lead lines in town and starting in 2020 and Joel Kennedy Constructing Corp. replaced them with copper pipes instead.
According to Wheeling Village Manager Jon Sfondilis, the town wants to stay ahead of the curve, reported The Daily Herald.
The lead service line replacements in Wheeling were initially expected to cost more than $1.8 million and concluded in June.
In a news release, Village President Pat Horcher said that the project is "a credit to the village board's ongoing commitment to community health and safety," reported The Daily Herald.
Funding was obtained through a low-interest loan program for water supply projects offered by the Illinois EPA and the program includes a 50% forgiveness incentive for up to $1 million. The village also got a roughly $348,000 grant from the Northwest Water Commission for the project. Money for the village's share of the cost was set aside as part of a local capital improvement plan, according to The Daily Herald.
The village's water supply was safe even when the lead pipes were used, according to Wheeling officials, reported The Daily Herald.
