CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Starting Thursday, Chicago residents concerned about possible lead in their drinking water can sign up for new programs to help them “get the lead out.”
Chicago’s Department of Water Management is taking applications for two programs for replacing lead pipe service lines that bring water from water mains into homes.
Acting Water Commissioner Andrea Cheng said low-income people with elevated levels of lead in their water may qualify for the entire $15,000 to $25,0000 replacement cost to be covered by the government.
"So we have our limited dollars. Who do we think will never be able to afford to replace the service line on their own and would be most impacted? And that's where we want to use those limited dollars," she said.
Some 600 homes can be covered in this wave, out of 400,000 that could need the work. Cheng admits this could take decades.
For people who don’t qualify, or just want to get the work done themselves faster, she said the city will waive up to $3,100 in permitting fees and offers advice and applications online at LeadSafeChicago.org.
"We also put a customer sheet on our website with questions they should ask when hiring a plumbing contractor to make sure they get the best price," Cheng said.
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