Conversations are ongoing between the State of Illinois and the City of Lake Forest following the discovery of a small number of homes in the city with water service lines exceeding state standards for lead.

In July, the city received a Lead Action Exceedance Notice from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Specifically, there was a discovery of lead in private property water service lines at 11 residences where the levels exceeded federal lead standards, according to Assistant Public Works Director James Lockefeer.

The water service line is the pipe that connects the city’s water main in the street to an individual household’s plumbing.

The notice coincides with the passage of a state law mandating cities to develop a multi-year plan to replace all privately owned service lines containing lead.

In adherence of the state law, the city began compiling a list of water service lines suspected to contain lead. While city officials believe 96 % of the existing water service lines do not have lead, there are another 250 lines that do, with another 26 where it is unknown whether lead is present or not.

The IEPA required testing of 60 of the 250 homes in question based on the city’s population, according to IEPA spokeswoman Kim Biggs.

The tests revealed that 11 city residences exceeded federal guidance in terms of lead.

“It really is a small percentage of Lake Forest properties that have lead in their private service lines,” Lockefeer said.

He noted the city is now encouraging the homeowners to get the lead service lines replaced, but since it is private property, it is strictly the responsibility of the homeowner.

“We understand the importance of eliminating those lead service lines and would strongly encourage those property owners with replacement,” he said.

Lockefeer added that the city wants to be fully compliant with all state regulations. However, officials would prefer direct communication with the impacted homes, as opposed to the entire community.

“It can be confusing,” he said. “We are still trying to have that conversation with the IEPA and understand what they are requiring and trying to make sure we are fully compliant, but right-sizing the message accordingly.”

Biggs confirmed conversations are ongoing with Lake Forest regarding how to communicate with homeowners.

Lockefeer said the city has a lead service replacement plan in place, providing guidance to homeowners in replacing private property service lines.

Lockefeer said the lead is not present in the city’s water distribution infrastructure or in the treated drinking water itself.

The presence of lead could lead to a series of health problems, especially for children, including behavior and learning problems, hearing issues, anemia, and lower IQ, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/26/lake-forest-homes-lead-service-lines/