The Village is undertaking a Water Service Line Replacement Survey as required by the State of Illinois in order to create a service line inventory for the Village.
The Village of Schiller Park Public Works Water Department currently has employees going door-to-door asking residents to allow them to inspect their water service line to determine what type of material their service line is.
If you do not want to allow the Village employees access into your home, you will be provided with a post card with instructions on how to use your phone or computer to complete the service line survey.
Details & Instructions on how to complete the survey can be found below:
Water Service Line Survey Informational Article
After reviewing the instructions from the article above, please complete the survey below:
Schiller Park Water Service Line Survey
Schiller Park Water Service Line Brochure
Water Service Line Survey Post Cards
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Lead Service Line Replacement Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: “Why are lead service water lines being looked at now within the Village?”
A: The State of Illinois passed an unfunded mandate that requires the Village to replace lead service water lines within the next 15 years.
Q: “What is an unfunded mandate?
A: Unfunded mandates are laws, regulations, or requirements imposed by the State or Federal Government that do not include the funding required to comply. These costs fall on the municipality to fund.
Q: “What steps has the Village taken to determine where lead services are located throughout Schiller Park?”
A: The Village hired Robinson Engineering at a cost of $180,000 to survey properties, pre-design, and implement a plan for lead service water line replacements. This firm was hired now in order to quickly and efficiently address this mandate and public health concern.
Q: “What portion of a home’s lead service line will the Village be required to replace?”
A: The Village is required to replace the entire lead service line from the water main until the first shut of valve within the building’s plumbing or 18 inches inside the building, whichever is shorter.
Q: “Are any other water service lines included in the replacement?”
A: Galvanized services are also included, per the mandate.
Q: “What additional funds has the Village looked at to help cover costs?”
A: The Village has applied for an IEPA low interest rate loan to help with costs.
Q: “What if the Village does not receive an IEPA low interest rate loan?”
A: The Village will reevaluate its financial plans to replace lead service water lines over the next 15 years.
Q: “Will the Village receive grant funds to cover any costs?”
A: The State and/or Federal Government are providing municipalities with higher amounts of lead service lines grants to help offset costs. Skokie received $2 million in grant money for an estimated $110 million in total cost of lead service line replacement throughout their community.
Q: “What is an advisory question (related to this referendum)?”
A: An advisory question is a type of ballot measure where citizens voice their preference on a non-binding issue. This means that the outcome of the advisory question will not necessarily result in new legislation, rule, or law. Your vote on this advisory question allows the Village Board to gauge public opinion on how to fund lead service water line replacements.
New FAQ:
Q: “Was information released previously regarding the advisory question (related to this referendum)?
A: Information regarding the advisory question was included in the March 2023 Schiller Park Village Newsletter mailed in early March.
Q: What is the estimated cost of the entire project?
A: The engineer’s estimated cost of this project is between $6-$12 million, depending on numerous cost factors (i.e. exact number of lead services found and labor and materials). The Village has already spent $180,000 to gather an inventory of lead service lines throughout the community per the state requirement to do an inventory.
Q: What will the IEPA Loan proceeds be used for?
A: If the Village receives the IEPA loan, the Village will payback the loan using the resident fees (and possible grants or other sources) and use the loan proceeds to replace lead services across the Village.