Lead Service Lines in IL AMERICAN-ALTON

IL AMERICAN-ALTON serves about 46,000 people in the Alton area. Like many older water systems in Illinois, it may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect the public water main to individual homes.

What you need to know

Lead service lines (LSLs) are the main source of lead in drinking water for most homes. If your home was built before the 1980s, there's a higher chance your service line contains lead. The good news: lead in water is preventable through filtration, flushing, or full pipe replacement.

IL AMERICAN-ALTON's current inventory status:

The utility has not yet inventoried their service line network. This means they don't have a public count of how many lead, galvanized, or unknown lines exist in their system. Federal law now requires water systems to complete and publish these inventories by October 2024 and develop replacement plans by October 2025.

Why this matters for your home

If you live in an older home served by IL AMERICAN-ALTON, your service line could be lead even if the main water main isn't. Only the property owner can see or replace their portion of the service line (the part from the meter into your home). The utility is responsible for the section from the main to your property line.

Without knowing where lead lines are concentrated, it's harder to prioritize replacements and get funding for vulnerable areas. That's why inventory completion is important.

What you can do now

• Test your water. Contact IL AMERICAN-ALTON or visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website for guidance on free or low-cost lead testing.
• Ask your utility directly. Call or email IL AMERICAN-ALTON and ask: Do you know if my service line is lead? If they don't have that information yet, ask when their inventory will be complete.
• Reduce exposure while you wait. If you're concerned about your line, run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, use cold water for drinking and cooking (hot water holds more lead), and consider a certified lead filter if testing shows elevated levels.

Next steps for residents

• Contact IL AMERICAN-ALTON to ask about your specific service line and request their inventory timeline
• Request a free water test through your local health department
• If you have young children, consult your pediatrician about lead exposure precautions
• Check back on LeadPipeLookup or the utility's website when the inventory is published (target: October 2024)

```json [ { "q": "Is there lead in my water from IL AMERICAN-ALTON?", "a": "The utility hasn't completed an inventory yet, so they don't have a public list of lead service lines. The only way to know if lead is in your water is to test it. Contact IL AMERICAN-ALTON or your local health department for free or low-cost testing." }, { "q": "When will IL AMERICAN-ALTON finish their lead service line inventory?", "a": "Federal law requires completion by October 2024. You can contact the utility directly to ask about their progress and timeline." }, { "q": "What's the difference between a lead service line and lead in the water itself?", "a": "A lead service line is the pipe connecting your home to the public water main; it can leach lead into your water. Lead can also come from solder or fixtures. A water test tells you if lead is actually in your water, regardless of the source." }, { "q": "Can I replace my lead service line myself?", "a": "The part from your meter into your home is your responsibility as the property owner. The utility owns the part from the main to your property line. Contact IL AMERICAN-ALTON or a licensed plumber for guidance on costs and whether the utility offers replacement assistance." }