Lead water pipe replacement in Glencoe

Lead pipes in Glencoe — common questions

Who pays for lead pipe replacement in Glencoe?

Village provides "partial reimbursement of the cost of replacing lead water service lines": under the LSLR Cost Sharing Program (approved by the Village Board February 16, 2023), the Village reimburses homeowners 50% of the cost to replace the entire lead or galvanized steel service line from the water main to the water meter inside the home, up to a $10,000 maximum reimbursement. Reimbursable costs are limited to labor and materials to install the new service line only — restoration expenses on private property (interior or exterior, e.g. landscaping, hardscape, flooring, drywall) are not eligible, and the reimbursement is calculated as (proposal cost minus itemized exceptions) x 50%. The homeowner hires an Illinois-licensed plumbing contractor, obtains pre-approval and a building permit, pays the contractor in full, and is reimbursed by the Village within 60 days after work is completed, inspections pass, and documentation (paid-in-full receipt) is submitted — provided funding is available; reimbursements are capped by the amount budgeted each calendar year, with a waitlist once annual funds are exhausted. The Village also waives: the permit fee for lead service line replacement work; Village fees and deposits for street utility cuts and curb/sidewalk replacement related to utility excavation; Village fees for parts (b-box, curb stop, corporation cock, tapping saddle); and the water tap service fee. Eligibility is limited to owners of single-family residential structures within Village corporate limits; the lead line must be replaced in its entirety; one participation per property. The program is voluntary and the Village reserves the right to amend its terms. Program terms change — confirm current details with the municipality before planning around them.

How do I find out if my Glencoe home has a lead water line?

Official "Water Service Line Material - By Residential Address" page with an interactive map lookup — search by house number and street name omitting suffixes (e.g. "675 Village" not "675 Village Court"). Materials shown: cast/ductile iron or transite, copper, lead, galvanized (partially containing lead), plastic, or unknown. Page also links the "2025 Final IEPA Service Line Material Inventory" document. Questions: Don Kirk, General Superintendent of Public Works, (847) 461-1154.

Does GS Construction replace lead service lines?

Service-line replacement itself is licensed plumbing and excavation work — on GS projects it runs through our Illinois-licensed plumbing and excavation partners, and we handle what comes after: restoring the yard, landscaping edges, and any interior finishes the work touched. If a remodel uncovers a lead line, we flag it and point you at the municipal program before anyone spends your money.

Why do lead lines come up during remodels?

Kitchen and bathroom remodels expose the plumbing where it enters the home, and permit inspections increasingly check service-line material against the municipal inventory Illinois law requires. Finding out mid-project is normal — knowing your village's program before demo day is better.