AQUA ILLINOIS-WILLOWBROOK Lead Service Line Inventory

What is a lead service line?

A lead service line (LSL) is the underground pipe that connects your home to the public water main. If your service line contains lead, drinking water can pick up lead as it travels through that pipe into your home—even if the water leaving the treatment plant is safe.

Lead service lines were common in homes built before the 1980s, though they can exist in newer homes too. The only way to know for certain is to test your water or have your service line inspected.

What AQUA ILLINOIS-WILLOWBROOK has reported

AQUA ILLINOIS-WILLOWBROOK serves about 5,100 people in the Willowbrook area and uses groundwater as its primary water source. The utility has not yet completed a comprehensive inventory of lead service lines in its system.

As of now, the utility has not reported specific counts of confirmed lead, galvanized, or non-lead service lines. An inventory is the first step toward understanding the scope of lead service lines in a water system and planning replacements.

What you should do now

Even if your utility hasn't finished its inventory, you don't have to wait to learn about your own home:

• Test your water. A simple lead test costs $20–50 and shows whether lead is present in your tap water right now. Contact your local health department or visit the EPA's testing locator.
• Find out if you have a lead service line. Call AQUA ILLINOIS-WILLOWBROOK at the number on your bill, or ask them to check their records. You can also request a professional inspection (usually $100–300).
• Take action if lead is detected. Use a water filter certified for lead (NSF/ANSI Standard 53), flush your tap before drinking, and talk to your pediatrician if children under 6 live in your home. The CDC has guidance for parents here.

The longer-term solution is replacement, but that's typically the utility's responsibility. Ask AQUA ILLINOIS-WILLOWBROOK when they plan to complete their inventory and whether they have a timeline for service line replacements.

Next steps for residents

• Contact AQUA ILLINOIS-WILLOWBROOK to ask about your service line and when an inventory will be finished
• Have your water tested for lead independently (do not wait for the utility's timeline)
• If children under 6 are in your home, consult your pediatrician about lead exposure risk
• If lead is found, use a certified lead-removal filter and request a professional service line inspection

```json [ { "q": "Does AQUA ILLINOIS-WILLOWBROOK have lead service lines?", "a": "The utility has not yet completed an inventory of its service lines, so the full count is unknown. You can contact the utility directly or test your own water to find out if lead is present in your home." }, { "q": "How do I know if my home has a lead service line?", "a": "Call your water utility and ask them to check their records. You can also hire a plumber or inspector to examine the service line at your property. A water test will tell you if lead is in your drinking water right now." }, { "q": "Is groundwater safe from lead?", "a": "Groundwater itself is not inherently unsafe, but lead can still enter drinking water through lead service lines and lead-containing plumbing in your home, regardless of the water source." }, { "q": "What should I do if I'm worried about lead in my water?", "a": "Test your water for lead (usually $20–50), contact your utility about your service line, and if