Robinson Engineering has proposed to replace pipes to about 50 homes in University Park, and the project would be funded through grants, officials said.
Jonathan Flowers, a senior engineer for Robinson Engineering, said the project aims to help University Park with its lead issue. The work will involve replacing pipes, the majority of which are made of copper, and looking for fixtures that may contain lead, he said.
Village Manager Elizabeth Scott told a Village Board committee meeting Tuesday the village received a $500,000 grant from Will County that will fund pipe replacement.
Under the plan, Robinson Engineering will replace the pipes in about 50 of the oldest homes in the most affected areas of the village, Scott said. The pipes that will be replaced will be the ones that go directly to the home, she said.
“I think this is a great opportunity for the village,” Scott said. “We’re going to continue to work our way around.”
The company will also conduct water sampling and talk to residents about their water systems, Scott said.
“It’s basically going to be sampling that’s taken from different areas. It’s going to be an independent water sampling,” Scott said.
Construction is anticipated to start March 2024 once the Village Board approves the agreement, Scott said.
Mayor Joseph Roudez said he’s excited the village has taken the first step toward replacing pipes throughout the community. The project will give the 50 homeowners “a sense of security.”
Scott refused to comment after the meeting.
Trustee Gina Williams said lead pipe replacement project is good because residents have faced hardships for the last four years under Aqua Illinois.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency officials cited Aqua Illinois in July 2019 for a series of alleged violations related to ongoing lead water contamination in University Park that persisted more than a month after they were detected.
IEPA’s violation notice cites Aqua for deficiencies in its permitting and sampling processes; for failing to properly categorize lead and copper sampling sites; and for failing to maintain a safe public water supply.
In response, company officials issued a statement saying they were working with IEPA to resolve the issue. The company suspended four members of its management and professional team in response to the IEPA’s findings.
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But company officials acknowledged in the statement that in the process of changing water sources from well water to the Kankakee River in 2018, it installed a water main and changed treatment locations without getting an IEPA permit in a timely manner.
“Although we continue working to gather the necessary information to gain a more comprehensive understanding of what took place, it is important to note we don’t believe the issues associated with these notices of violations contributed to or worsened the lead contamination in University Park,” company officials said in a 2019 statement.
In August 2019, the Illinois attorney general and Will County state’s attorney jointly filed a lawsuit against Aqua Illinois for allegedly not providing safe drinking water to University Park. That lawsuit is still pending with the next court date Jan. 5, 2024.
“We all know that the water we have right now going through our pipes is not safe,” Williams said.
Williams said she’s pleased 50 homes will have their pipes replaced, and she hopes this effort will continue to help all residents.
Trustee Donna Fulcher said she appreciates the support from Will County officials toward this proposed project.
“This is some relief for some homeowners. Hopefully this is the start of further relief for the rest of the community,” Fulcher said.