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Engineer outlines plan to replace about 192 lead service lines; city seeks loan forgiveness
Summary
At a Sept. 10 public hearing, engineer Chad Ryan said roughly 192 lead service lines may need replacement and that the city is pursuing 100% loan forgiveness from the Illinois EPA. Replacements would extend from residents' indoor meters to the water main and require in-home access; nonparticipating homeowners could face $9,000–$12,000 bills.
Chad Ryan of engineering firm Fehr Graham told the City of Oregon council during a Sept. 10 public hearing that "there is approximately one hundred and ninety-two total water line replacements necessary." He said the proposal asks the Illinois EPA for 100% loan forgiveness to avoid passing costs to residents.
Ryan described the technical scope: when required, crews would replace the service line from the water meter inside a home to the water main, which will require access to residents' properties and interior work. He said the city will hold preconstruction meetings with affected homeowners so they know what to expect during installation. Ryan warned that homeowners who opt out could be expected to pay for their own replacement, which he estimated would cost "nine to twelve thousand dollars." Mayor Ken Williams emphasized that the program is mandated and stated the goal that the city seek ways for "there could be no cost to the citizens for the lead lines that need to be replaced."
Nut graf: The hearing provided technical and financial detail about a project that affects many households and could carry substantial costs for individual homeowners who do not participate. The council heard possible funding relief through IEPA loan forgiveness but did not take a formal vote on funding or on compelling homeowner participation at the meeting.
Questions from council members and staff focused on logistics and resident communication: the replacement timeline, how contractors will coordinate interior access, and the planned preconstruction meeting. The transcript indicates the city will continue coordinating with Fehr Graham and pursue clarification from funding authorities; no binding contract or resident-mandate vote was recorded at this meeting.
The next steps noted by staff include continued coordination with Fehr Graham and follow-up communications to affected property owners about schedule and access. The council did not schedule a final funding vote during the Sept. 10 session.
