Lead Service Lines

The City of Mt. Vernon’s water is safe to drink and tested regularly to meet state and federal standards. We also follow Illinois law to track and replace old lead service lines.

For more details about water safety, visit our Water Quality Reports. 

About the Law

The Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act (Public Act 102-0613) requires Illinois communities to:

• Keep a record of where lead service lines may exist
• Create a plan to replace them
• Notify residents if their home has a lead line
• Give notice before work begins that could disturb lead pipes
• Fully replace lead pipes (not just part of a line), unless special reasons apply

Mt. Vernon's Replacement Program

• In 2023, residents completed a survey about their water service lines.
• Results were used to create a Lead Service Line Inventory Report, submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Replacement work begins in 2026.
• Each year, at least 10% of lead service lines will be replaced.
• Work will continue for about 10 years.

What Will Be Replaced?

The City of Mt. Vernon is responsible for replacing:

• The pipe from the water main in the street
• Up to 18 inches inside your home

The homeowner is responsible for any pipe past that point.

What is a Lead Service Line?

A lead service line is the pipe that connects the city’s water main to your home.

• City’s Responsibility: From the main to 18” inside the home (through the meter).
• Homeowner’s Responsibility: From 18” inside the home to your plumbing.

Because the City does not own the homeowner’s portion, we may not always know the materials used there.

Why Lead Matters

Lead is a metal once used in plumbing, paint, and other products. Today, we know it can harm your health.

• Children: Learning problems, behavior issues, lower IQ
• Pregnant women: Risk to unborn babies, early birth, low birth weight
• Adults: Higher blood pressure, kidney problems, other health issues

How Lead Exposure Happens

Lead can get into your body in different ways:

• Drinking Water that passed through lead pipes or fixtures.
• Dust or old paint in  older homes (built before 1978) 
• Soil and air near old paint or gas. It can also be in the air near factories or busy roads.
• Certain jobs and hobbies (construction, car repair, etc.)

Protecting Your Family

• Test your water for lead if you are unsure
• Use cold water for drinking and cooking
• Flush pipes by running water for a minute if it hasn't been used in several hours
• Use a certified filter for lead removal
• Replace old pipes or fixtures if they contain lead