Palatine Approves Lead Pipe Removal Cost-Sharing Program

Journal & Topics
Igor Studenkov

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​Palatine Village Council voted unanimously during its July 12 meeting to create a program that will allow homeowners to be reimbursed two-thirds of the cost of replace lead water pipes on their property.

According to the village, out of around 19,000 water service lines throughout Palatine, “approximately 310” contain lead. The village replaces lead pipes from the water main to the shut-off valve out of its own pocket, but the property owners are responsible for replacing any pipes between the valve and their house, since it’s located on their property. The village is able to offer reimbursement thanks to $300,000 in grant funds from the Northwest Water Commission.

Village Manager Reid Ottesen said the grant funds wouldn’t be enough to pay for reimbursements for every single lead line. The grant will be offered on first-come, first-serve basis. But, he added that, if there is demand, he would ask the village to expand the program as part of the next year’s budget. If that happens, the money will come from the village’s water fund, which, Ottesen said, has more than enough money to accommodate that.