PRESS RELEASE: Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth Encourages Neighbors to Enroll in Free Lead Service Line Replacement Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2025
EDGEWATER—On April 7, 2025, Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth spoke to a full house of Edgewater residents eligible for a free lead service line replacement paid for by the City.
The alderwoman and leaders from the Department of Water Management (DWM) spoke to a full room of neighbors at Chicago Filmmakers about the program, which will replace the lead service line from the water main into homes with copper. The value of the free lead service line replacement is $20,000 to $40,000 per home.
Homes adjacent to the sewer main replacement project on Hollywood, Victoria, Olive, and Ridge are eligible to enroll. Eligible home owners will receive a letter from DWM, and outreach teams will be knocking on doors to enroll as many homes in the program as possible.
“Typically DWM sees an enrollment of about 85% of eligible homes. Our goal is 100%. With miles of lead service lines throughout the city and limited funds to replace them, this is a once in a generation opportunity,” Alderwoman Manaa-Hoppenworth said.
In 2025, the City is expected to replace 8,000 lead service lines. This requires collaboration with home owners since the lead service lines are the ones that go from the water main on the street into homes.
DWM has already begun work on the $8 million sewer main replacement project in the 48th ward. Across the city, DWM is expected to replace 9 miles of sewer main in 2025; ½ mile of that is here in the 48th Ward. The sewer main work will increase capacity, and is expected to help address long-standing flooding issues along Glenwood and the surrounding blocks. Many of the lines being replaced date back to as early as 1833.
“This is a large project, and there will be disruptions,” said DWM First Deputy Joel Vierya.
Currently Olive between Glenwood and Clark is closed to through traffic, and an extended closure of Ridge is scheduled in the coming months. Neighbors can also expect construction noise from 7am until 4pm during this project.
“The construction has been shaking me out of bed in the morning,” said Anthony Pence, 48th Ward Resident and President of the ETNA Block Club President, “but it’s worth it knowing that this project will help prevent my basement and my neighbors’ basements from flooding in the future. The Block Club is excited to partner with the Alderwoman and DWM towards the goal of 100% Lead Service Line Replacement Program participation.”
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CONTACT:
Nicole Granacki
Chief of Staff • (773) 352-1554
