AQUA ILLINOIS-KANKAKEE Lead Service Line Inventory
AQUA ILLINOIS-KANKAKEE serves about 80,000 people in Illinois. Like all US water utilities, it is required by federal law to create and maintain an inventory of lead service lines—the pipes that connect homes to the water main.
What is a lead service line?
A lead service line is the underground pipe running from the water main under the street to your home's water meter. If installed before the 1980s, it may contain lead. Lead can leach into drinking water, especially in homes with corrosive water or after water sits in pipes overnight.
What we know about AQUA ILLINOIS-KANKAKEE's inventory
AQUA ILLINOIS-KANKAKEE has not yet reported detailed information about its lead service line inventory to the state or public. This means we don't have current numbers on how many lead, galvanized, or non-lead lines serve the system.
This is not unusual. Many utilities across the country are still in the early stages of mapping their service lines. Inventories take time to build—utilities must often dig records out of paper files, conduct field inspections, or use other methods to determine what's underground.
What you can do now
Contact your utility directly. AQUA ILLINOIS-KANKAKEE can tell you whether your specific service line is lead, and what your system's replacement timeline looks like.
If you're concerned about lead in your tap water, the CDC recommends:
- Running your tap cold for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking
- Having your water tested (many utilities offer free or low-cost testing)
- Using a water filter certified for lead removal if tests show lead is present
A pediatrician or your local health department can advise on health concerns, especially for children.
Next steps for residents
- Contact AQUA ILLINOIS-KANKAKEE to ask about your service line and the utility's replacement plan
- Request a free water test from your utility or local health department
- Learn more about lead in drinking water at the EPA's lead page
- Check your home's age—if built before 1980, lead service lines are more likely
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Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
The only sure way is to ask your water utility (AQUA ILLINOIS-KANKAKEE in your case) or hire a plumber to inspect. Homes built before 1980 are at higher risk. You can also have your water tested for lead—that's often easier than finding the pipes.
Is lead in water dangerous?
Lead can harm children's brain development and affect adults' kidneys and blood pressure. Exposure risk depends on age, water chemistry, and how long water sits in pipes. Talk to your doctor or contact the CDC for health concerns.
Can I drink my tap water right now?
You can reduce risk by running cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, using cold water for cooking and baby formula, and having your water tested. A certified water filter also removes lead. If you're worried, contact your utility or local health department.
When will AQUA ILLINOIS-KANKAKEE replace lead pipes?
The utility has a federal deadline to replace lead service lines, but the timeline varies by community. Call your utility to ask about their replacement schedule and whether your street is planned for work.