Lead Service Lines at U of I Chicago Medical Center Water System
What you need to know
U of I Chicago Medical Center serves approximately 5,000 people through its own water system. Like all public water systems in the US, it is required by the EPA to identify and track lead service lines—the pipes that carry water from the main line under the street into buildings.
Current status: The system has not yet completed a full inventory of its lead service lines. This is not unusual; many smaller water systems are still in the process of mapping their pipes, which can be difficult and expensive work.
What are lead service lines?
Lead service lines are metal pipes made partly or entirely of lead. They were commonly installed before the 1980s. Lead can leach into water, especially if the water is corrosive or has low pH. Even brief exposure can be harmful, particularly for young children and pregnant people.
Not all older pipes contain lead—some are copper or galvanized steel—but without an inventory, there's no way to know which homes are at risk.
What happens next?
The EPA and Illinois Department of Public Health require water systems to complete inventories and, where lead service lines are found, to develop replacement plans. U of I Chicago Medical Center is required to follow this timeline, though specific deadlines depend on system size and other factors.
You can contact the water system directly to ask:
- Whether your building's service line has been tested or documented
- What the timeline is for completing the full inventory
- Whether replacement work is planned in your area
Protecting your water right now
While the system completes its inventory:
- Run cold water first. Let water run for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking or cooking, especially first thing in the morning.
- Use cold water for cooking and drinking. Hot water leaches lead faster than cold.
- Consider a filter. NSF-certified filters marked for lead removal can reduce exposure while you wait for infrastructure updates. (Not all filters work—check the label.)
If you have concerns about health effects, contact your doctor or call the CDC's lead hotline at 1–800–CDC–INFO.
Next steps for residents
- Contact U of I Chicago Medical Center's water department to ask about your building's service line status
- Request a copy of the current lead service line inventory (even if incomplete)
- If your home was built before 1980 and you haven't had your water tested, ask the utility about free or low-cost testing
- Consider installing an NSF-certified lead filter on drinking water taps while infrastructure work is pending
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does U of I Chicago Medical Center's water have lead in it right now?
The system serves about 5,000 people and hasn't yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines. Lead exposure risk depends on whether your building has a lead service line and water chemistry. Contact the utility to ask about your specific address.
How do I know if my building has a lead pipe?
The water system is required to maintain a lead service line inventory. Contact U of I Chicago Medical Center's water department directly and provide your building address or account number. They can tell you whether your line has been documented as lead, copper, or unknown.
Is boiling water safe if there's lead in my pipes?
No. Boiling does not remove lead; it can actually concentrate it. If you're concerned about lead, use cold water, let it run first, and consider an NSF-certified lead filter.
What should I do if my child has been drinking water from a lead pipe?
Contact your pediatrician or the CDC. They can advise you on testing and next steps. You can also call the CDC's lead information line at 1–800–CDC–INFO.