The City of Chicago plans to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support a comprehensive Lead Service Line Replacement Program. The funding request is scheduled to be submitted on or after July 17, 2026, with public comments invited through July 16.

The initiative, authorized under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, aims to replace lead water service lines from the main supply into homes for qualifying low-income homeowners across Chicago. The program is divided into three geographic zones: North, Central, and South. The North Zone encompasses areas north of 51st Street, the Central Zone covers the area south of 51st Street and north of 87th Street, and the South Zone includes neighborhoods south of 87th Street.

Under the program, the Department of Water Management (DWM) and its approved contractors will perform full lead line replacements at no cost to eligible homeowners. To qualify, homeowners must own and reside in their property, have a household income below 80% of the area median income, and experience consistent lead levels exceeding 15 parts per billion (ppb) as determined by DWM water testing. In addition to replacing lead service lines, single-family homes and two-flats that lack water meters will receive new meters. The program may also involve hazard testing, defect inspections, and engineering design and management tasks.

Each zone’s project is undergoing a Tier 1 broad environmental review, pursuant to HUD’s regulations, and has been categorically excluded under specific sections of 24 CFR Part 58.35. No mitigation measures or conditions were identified at this broad review stage. However, Tier 2 site-specific reviews will be conducted once addresses are identified to ensure compliance with laws and authorities not covered in the Tier 1 assessment.

The estimated annual cost of the program is $15 million per zone, with a projected total of $75 million in expenditures over a five-year period for each zone. The Environmental Review Record (ERR) documents related to the program are publicly accessible at the City of Chicago Department of Environment’s Bureau of Environmental Remediation office and online.

The city is following HUD’s established procedures for environmental certification and outlines a process for objections to the release of funds. Stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to review the materials and submit comments before the July 16 deadline.