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Villa Park board adopts lead service line replacement program after public comment
Summary
The Village of Villa Park approved a program to help residents replace lead or galvanized private water service lines, adopting a 50/50 assistance approach with an upper credit cap; trustees and residents debated funding sources, scope and whether homeowners should bear part of the cost.
The Village of Villa Park Board of Trustees on April 14 adopted a resolution establishing a lead service line replacement program to help homeowners replace lead or galvanized private water service lines.
The program approved by trustees provides financial assistance to property owners for the private portion of the service line; staff said the board-approved option is a 50/50 cost-share with a credit of up to $5,000 per service line. Village Manager Andrew Harling told the board the village’s initial estimate for the private-side cost under the 50/50 scenario is about $1.65 million and that staff’s preliminary plan would spread the program cost over 10 years.
The measure drew multiple public speakers during the meeting’s public-comment period, including residents who urged the board to shoulder a greater share of replacement costs. “We should not be on the hook for 50% of the cost associated with the removal of lead service lines,” resident Steve Dela Rosa told the board, arguing that the village has an obligation to deliver uncontaminated water. Resident Joe Amore urged the trustees to prioritize immediate testing and replacement for about 60 homes previously identified by the village for testing.
Director Mike Guerra explained program mechanics and funding scenarios during board discussion. Guerra said the village’s enterprise fund balance for water stood at roughly $4.4 million before planned projects and that the board could fund the program from interest earnings on reserves — an amount staff estimated at roughly $165,000 per year if the work is spread across ten years. He said the intent was to avoid an immediate rate increase but noted future rate reviews could be required depending on other capital needs and external supplier rate increases.
Guerra described how the village treats public versus private portions of the water service: the public side runs from the main to the curb/box; the private side runs from that curb connection into the house. The village has identified about 4.5% of service locations with confirmed lead based on existing records and sampling; staff said that hydroexcavation and inspection will be used on future projects to create a more complete inventory.
Trustees pressed staff on budget and implementation details. Trustee Cordova asked whether the village had the money now; Harling said the village could draw on interest earned on reserves and other capital funds, but that the board should expect to revisit rates and priorities as other water-system projects continue. Trustee Kumar asked about the percentage of encountered lines that require replacement; Guerra said it varies by neighborhood and age of infrastructure. Several trustees asked staff to report back annually and to involve the Environmental Concerns Commission in monitoring the program.
The board approved the resolution 7–0. Clerk Konecki recorded the roll call following the motion and second. Manager Harling and Director Guerra said staff will provide residents with details on testing, eligibility and the application process; staff also said they will reach out to property owners who completed relevant permits in the previous three years to inform them of possible reimbursement eligibility.
The board directed staff to move forward with program implementation and to return with administrative details and outreach materials, including a web page with testing and filtration guidance and contact information for EPA-approved testing labs.
