Lead Service Lines in Joliet, IL
Lead service lines are pipes that carry water from the main water line under the street into your home. If your home was built before the 1980s, there's a chance your service line contains lead—a metal that can leach into drinking water and pose health risks, especially for young children and pregnant people.
What we know about Joliet's water systems
Joliet is served by 78 water systems. The largest is the City of Joliet system, which provides water to approximately 160,000 residents. The remaining systems serve smaller populations, including school districts, industrial facilities, and residential associations.
The current status: The water systems serving Joliet have not yet reported confirmed lead service lines to the EPA's national database. However, this does not mean lead service lines don't exist in your area—it means data collection and reporting are still ongoing.
Why this matters for your home
Lead service lines are the most common source of lead in drinking water. If you live in an older home, you should assume your service line may contain lead until you know otherwise. The EPA has set strict limits for lead in drinking water, but the only way to eliminate risk is to know what's in your pipes and, if necessary, replace them.
Finding out about your service line
Your water utility has records about service lines in your neighborhood. Contact the City of Joliet Water Department or your local water provider directly and ask:
- Does my address have a lead service line?
- What is the material of my service line?
- Are there any testing results available for my water?
If your utility doesn't have records for your specific property, they should be able to tell you how common lead service lines are in your area and what options are available for testing or replacement.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your water utility — ask about your service line material and request any available water quality data for your address
- Get your water tested — a simple, affordable test can detect lead levels in your tap water (your utility may offer free testing)
- If you have young children or are pregnant — consult your pediatrician or doctor about lead exposure risks and testing recommendations
- Ask about replacement programs — some utilities offer funding or cost-sharing programs to help residents replace lead service lines