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.

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Highland Park
Lead Pipe Replacement

Highland Park, IL

Lead water pipe replacement in Highland Park

Public portion: the City owns the public service line ("from the water main to the water meter pit or buffalo-box (b-box) or shut-off valve within the City right-of-way") and "The City will assume the cost of work on properties that only require work on the public side service lines." Private portion (b-box/meter pit into the house): "The City has developed a cost share program... the property owner is responsible for a $5,000 cost share fee, and the City will pay the balance of the LSL replacement expense." Only properties receiving private-side replacement are charged the $5,000. The cost share is offered through the City's current LSL Replacement Program, which is rolling out by designated project areas (Project Area #1 notified February 2025; program timeline roughly February 2025 – July 2028) — replacements happen when the program reaches your area, and the City cautions there is "no guarantee that a portion of the costs will be covered again in the future" for owners who decline to participate now. Project largely financed via the IEPA Public Water Supply Loan Program / Illinois State Revolving Fund (SRF). | Homeowner cost: $5,000 flat cost-share fee if the private side is replaced ($0 if only public side needs work). Payable in full or via a City-administered payment plan/loan agreement plus a $500 administrative and processing fee. Owners qualifying for the City's Low-Income Assistance Program get a 50% reduction ($2,500); contact [email protected]. Note: yard/structural restoration is included, but interior decorative restoration (e.g., tile or drywall) is the property owner's responsibility and is an additional cost beyond the $5,000.

Highland Park's program at a glance

Who supplies the water

Own municipal system — City of Highland Park Public Works, Water Production Division (city operates its own water plant; Water Plant Division 847.433.4355)

Program

Lead Service Line Replacement Program (City of Highland Park; program website GetTheLeadOutIL.com/highlandpark)

What the homeowner pays

$5,000 flat cost-share fee if the private side is replaced ($0 if only public side needs work). Payable in full or via a City-administered payment plan/loan agreement plus a $500 administrative and processing fee. Owners qualifying for the City's Low-Income Assistance Program get a 50% reduction ($2,500); contact [email protected]. Interior decorative restoration (e.g., tile or drywall) is the owner's responsibility and an additional cost beyond the $5,000. The cost share is offered as the program reaches your designated project area (rollout roughly February 2025 - July 2028), and the City cautions there is "no guarantee that a portion of the costs will be covered again in the future" for owners who decline to participate.

How to check your line

City GIS Lead Service Line Map dashboard: https://highlandparkil.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e05e0e22d9914af19c79698a600f183e (linked from cityhpil.com/leadinformation). Residents can report inaccuracies via the online "Water Service Line Material" form; the program also asks owners to submit photos of their service line at GetTheLeadOutIL.com/survey.

How to get into the program

Sign up at GetTheLeadOutIL.com/highlandpark and submit service-line photos at GetTheLeadOutIL.com/survey. Questions: City consultant Robinson Engineering 847-590-4624 / [email protected]; Public Works 847.432.0807 / [email protected]; cost-share questions: Keith Miller, Utilities Superintendent, 847.926.1152 / [email protected].

Worth knowing

Program is being rolled out by project areas (Project Area #1 notices mailed Feb 2025); overall timeline stated as February 2025 – July 2028. Participation is voluntary, but the City warns there is "no guarantee that a portion of the costs will be covered again in the future" — state law (Public Act 102-0613) requires all LSLs replaced by 2035 (city's stated deadline for its size tier). New line is copper; contractor digs two 6x6-ft holes, water off up to 4 hours, outdoor meter pits moved inside. Structural interior restoration and sod restoration included; decorative restoration (tile/drywall) is the owner's responsibility. Free water sampling offered 3-6 months post-replacement; filters provided after replacement. Robinson Engineering Ltd. designed and administers the program.

Sources (Highland Park official pages , checked Jul 2026): www.cityhpil.com, cms6.revize.com — program terms change; always confirm current details with the municipality.

The Illinois picture

Illinois' Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act requires every community water supply to inventory its service lines and replace lead ones on a state-mandated schedule. Two practical consequences for homeowners: your municipality can tell you what your line is made of, and full replacement — not partial — is the standard when work happens. Many suburbs coordinate replacements with water-main projects, which is often when the cost-sharing is most generous.

Where we come in

Remodels are where lead lines get discovered — kitchen and bath projects expose the plumbing, and permit inspections check service-line material against the municipal inventory. When that happens on a GS project in Highland Park, we flag it early, point you at the program above before anyone spends your money, run the replacement through our Illinois-licensed plumbing and excavation partners, and restore everything the dig touched.

GS Construction & Remodeling is a licensed general contractor, not a municipal agency. Program details above summarize official municipal sources and change over time — confirm current terms with Highland Park before making decisions based on them.

Lead pipes in Highland Park — common questions

Who pays for lead pipe replacement in Highland Park?: Public portion: the City owns the public service line ("from the water main to the water meter pit or buffalo-box (b-box) or shut-off valve within the City right-of-way") and "The City will assume the cost of work on properties that only require work on the public side service lines." Private portion (b-box/meter pit into the house): "The City has developed a cost share program... the property owner is responsible for a $5,000 cost share fee, and the City will pay the balance of the LSL replacement expense." Only properties receiving private-side replacement are charged the $5,000. The cost share is offered through the City's current LSL Replacement Program, which is rolling out by designated project areas (Project Area #1 notified February 2025; program timeline roughly February 2025 – July 2028) — replacements happen when the program reaches your area, and the City cautions there is "no guarantee that a portion of the costs will be covered again in the future" for owners who decline to participate now. Project largely financed via the IEPA Public Water Supply Loan Program / Illinois State Revolving Fund (SRF). | Homeowner cost: $5,000 flat cost-share fee if the private side is replaced ($0 if only public side needs work). Payable in full or via a City-administered payment plan/loan agreement plus a $500 administrative and processing fee. Owners qualifying for the City's Low-Income Assistance Program get a 50% reduction ($2,500); contact [email protected]. Note: yard/structural restoration is included, but interior decorative restoration (e.g., tile or drywall) is the property owner's responsibility and is an additional cost beyond the $5,000. Program terms change — confirm current details with the municipality before planning around them.
How do I find out if my Highland Park home has a lead water line?: City GIS Lead Service Line Map dashboard: https://highlandparkil.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e05e0e22d9914af19c79698a600f183e (linked from cityhpil.com/leadinformation). Residents can report inaccuracies via the online "Water Service Line Material" form; the program also asks owners to submit photos of their service line at GetTheLeadOutIL.com/survey.
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.

Remodeling in Highland Park?

We check service-line implications as part of scoping kitchen, bath, and whole-home remodels — free in-home estimate, itemized scope.

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