Staggering Costs For Western Springs Homeowner

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs resident Richard Kirchherr told village officials Monday he fully supports efforts to remove lead pipes.

But for some homeowners, the costs of doing so are likely to be staggering. Kirchherr said he and his wife are facing that reality.

Kirchherr, the senior minister of the First Congregational Church in Western Springs, lives on 46th Street between Franklin and Howard avenues, across the street from Clark Park.

Like other towns, Western Springs is following federal mandates to remove lead pipes.

Twenty-three years ago, Kirchherr said he was advised to replace the water connection from the water meter to the main. That would improve the family's water pressure.

However, the village told them their house was 300 feet from the water main. Kirchherr said 46th Street has no main.

At the time, the village estimated the cost of work between $15,000 and $25,000, he said. But the village advised against such a project, given the cost and the hassle of drilling under two neighbors' yards.

"Even that cost today would be prohibitive," Kirchherr told the Village Board. "But, of course, the cost is likely to be higher."

He is right. According to a federal inflation calculator, the cost would likely be $26,000 to $44,000 now.

"We understand it needs to be done, has to be done. But we do hope the trustees will take into consideration these types of individual factors and perhaps consider a cap on the cost to individual homeowners," Kirchherr said.

"In our case, that makes it possible for us to afford to stay here in retirement, which to the church members, that is not an announcement. It is not imminent," he said to laughter.