WAUKEGAN – The Illinois EPA announced more than $50,000 is heading to Waukegan to help the city identify service lines that may contain lead.

“Minimizing the risk of lead exposure among children and families is a prerequisite of supplying safe drinking water,” said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). “These funds will create a level of security and comfort for many families.”

Senator Johnson voted for the legislation creating the Lead Service Line Replacement Notification Act in 2021. The Lead Service Line Replacement Notification Act establishes timelines and requirements for the removal and replacement of all lead service lines in Illinois and creates a low-income water assistance program to help fund financial assistance and water projects that include lead pipe replacement.

Illinois has more lead service lines than any other state in the nation, with an estimated 730,000 to 1.4 million lead service lines in the ground. There is no safe level of exposure to lead.

“This funding will provide many communities with the necessary funding to develop a complete inventory identifying the types of water lines that exist in their drinking water supplies,” said Illinois EPA Director John Kim.

To see a full list of Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Grants, click here.