Elgin approves agreement to plan Year 5 of lead service line replacement program

The Elgin City Council on July 23 approved an engineering services agreement with Engineering Enterprises Inc. to help develop the city’s Year 5 lead service line replacement program, scheduled to begin in 2026. The agreement authorizes Engineering Enterprises Inc. (EEI) to assist city staff with planning and program development for replacing lead service lines as part of a replacement program that has run since 2020. City staff told the council the program has used a mix of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) principal-forgiveness loans, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and other grant sources to remove customer-side lead service lines. According to staff, Year 1 used a $4,000,000 IEPA principal-forgiveness loan to replace about 390 service lines. Year 2 combined a $4,000,000 IEPA loan with $9,500,000 in ARPA funding to replace about 870 lines. Year 3 replaced about 908 lines using IEPA and remaining ARPA and capital funds. Year 4 is on track to replace more than 1,000 lines using EPA funds, DECEO grant funds and congressional-directed funds; staff said Year 4 includes about 200 additional replacements funded by grants. Year 5, scheduled to begin in 2026, is expected to replace roughly 900 service lines using IEPA funds, congressional-directed funds and other sources. Councilmember Powell thanked staff for keeping the multi-year effort on track: “I just want to say thanks to staff, for continuing to be vigilant about us staying on task to replace these very important water lines and removing lead from our service lines.” Council action: A motion to approve the EEI agreement was moved and seconded and carried 9-0. Separately during miscellaneous business, a councilmember raised whether the city has additional water filters and test kits for residents. A staff member replied, “There isn't. It's not a matter of how many we have. As long as there's a request, the city will be providing them,” indicating the city will supply filters on request and there is no stated cap. Why it matters: Removing lead service lines reduces residents’ exposure to lead in drinking water and has recurring budget and outreach implications; Year 5 planning aligns with multiple funding sources and requires design and administrative work before replacements begin. What the council did not decide: The council approved the planning agreement; it did not approve a specific Year 5 construction contract or an exact project budget for replacements. Staff noted the program relies on continued grant and loan funding and on allocations expected in future fiscal cycles.