Get the lead out: Freeport replacing 700 lead service lines after receiving state funding
FREEPORT — The city of Freeport will receive $4 million in funding from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to replace lead service lines in the community.
The funding is provided through the Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund, which provides low-interest loans for drinking water, wastewater, and storm water projects. The city of Freeport will receive 100 percent principal forgiveness for this loan.
Service lines are small pipes that carry drinking water from water mains into homes. Many older homes built prior to 1990 may have lead service lines or lead containing plumbing fixtures or faucets.
Freeport will use the funds to replace approximately 700 lead service lines throughout the city, including all related appurtenances and restoration. According to the most recent Service Line Material Inventory Report, the city has over 2,200 known lead service lines in the community water supply.
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Lead is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body over time after drinking water from corroding pipes and fixtures. Eliminating lead service lines in homes will help to reduce lead exposure for residents.
“As communities work to identify the full scope of lead service lines in their community water supplies, Illinois EPA is ready to provide technical and financial assistance to begin the work to remove and replace these lead service lines,” said State EPA Director John Kim in a news release.
"We are encouraged by the number of communities proactively addressing this issue that is threatening drinking water throughout the state. The city of Freeport is one of many communities leading the way to protect their residents.”
The Illinois EPA provides Lead Service Line Replacement Principal Forgiveness is for projects directly related to activities that reduce or eliminate lead from potable water. To date, the Illinois EPA has provided nearly $81 million in funding for lead service line replacement. LSLR principal forgiveness is available up to a maximum amount of $4 million per loan recipient for fiscal year 2023 and will be available until the allotted funds are expended.
Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Illinois EPA earmarks $4M to help Freeport replace lead water lines
