Big Costs Ahead For La Grange To Replace Lead Pipes

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange has a lot of costly work ahead to replace its water system's lead service lines.

The question before village officials: Who is going to pay?

For the average local home, the cost of replacing the homeowner's side of the line is estimated at $7,000 to $9,000, according to the village.

The federal government is requiring towns to change out lead service lines because they become dangerous when they corrode.

In the mid-1980s, the government banned the installation of such lines.

Because La Grange is an older town, it has plenty of such pipes – two-thirds of its 5,154 service lines, according to a village memo this week.

The total price is estimated at $68.5 million, costing $4 million annually starting next year, the memo said.

On Monday, the Village Board plans to review three options for paying:

• Property owners pay for the customer portion of the service line – from the valve (known as the B-box) to the home.
• The village pays for both the public and private portions of the replacement through a water rate increase to pay back a loan.
• The village fronts the costs of both the public and private sides. Residents then would be required to repay the village over an extended time – for instance, three years.

For Monday's meeting, the village's staff has listed the pros and cons of each option.

Having residents share the costs would limit the impact on village finances, but higher out-of-pocket costs may discourage participation and slow the overall program, the village said.

As for a water rate hike, it would maximize participation and efficiency, but increase water bills for all residents, even those without lead lines, according to the village.

Under the village code, a resident is responsible for the pipe between the valve and the home.

But the village said the rule doesn't forgive its obligations to ensure risks are addressed throughout the entire system.

"As the regulatory obligation to replace lead service lines would remain, the Village cannot rely solely on individual property owners to replace them," the memo said.