Blue Island staff outline scope, funding status for lead service-line replacement
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Summary
City staff updated the council on the water system, saying the city is eligible for Illinois EPA forgivable loan funds to replace lead service lines; a public hearing is planned and staff gave rough estimates of properties affected and program costs.
Travis, a public works staff member, told the Blue Island City Council that the city has applied for state funding to replace lead service lines and has received preliminary eligibility confirmation from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).
The update said the city received a preliminary environmental determination, that a public hearing on the project is scheduled next week, and that the IEPA funding is structured as a forgivable, low-interest loan. "It's free money from the state of Illinois to replace lead service lines," Travis said, describing the IEPA program as a major funding opportunity but noting the final forgivable amount will be announced by the state in June or July.
City staff reminded the council that an earlier round of forgiveness for eligible units last year totaled about $3.027 million, and that the city previously received roughly $3 million in approvals this year and expects a similar allocation next year. Staff said the municipal inventory counts about 5,600 service lines that require review; preliminary high-level estimates for full citywide replacement range between about $50 million and $95 million, depending on scope and routing.
Staff described program mechanics and priorities: the replacement work would extend from the house meter to the water main in the street; costs per residential service were described as "approximately $12,000 to $15,000," and the city said it planned to prioritize critical locations such as schools, hospitals and other high‑risk sites when scheduling work.
Council members asked how properties will be selected and how quickly the work must be completed under state and federal rules. Staff said the IEPA eligibility determination is complete and that the program includes a public-comment period; if no adverse comments are received after the hearing and the 10‑day public‑comment window, the city would move to design and bidding.
Staff also warned that federal and state compliance deadlines have shifted over time and emphasized the city must act within the current timetable to secure forgiveness. Staff said the city plans to coordinate replacements in blocks where mains already need repair and to align work with other capital programs where possible to reduce overall cost.
No final council vote or formal commitment to a specific financing action was recorded during the update; staff said they will return with more detail after the IEPA announces forgiveness amounts and after the public hearing.