One of the Chicago Department of Water Management’s (DWM) proactive approaches to the city’s water quality research is the Chicago’s Water Quality Study launched in 2016. DWM is using this to investigate if there is any impact of water main construction and meter installation on residential lead levels. Years later the DWM decided to drop some of the requirements needed to be part of the program allowing more Chicagoans to be eligible to have the city replace their lead service lines for free.
Chicago’s Water Quality Study will gather samples before and after the lines and meters are installed to ensure the quality hasn’t dropped. DWM requires participants to collect four water samples for each test allowing the study to properly detect levels of lead — making it the most comprehensive scientific study to explore these issues ever conducted, according to the Department’s website.
Their goal is to collect before and after samples of 900 homes receiving water meters and 1,200 near the main construction. The Department will call each resident to tell them their results as soon as they come available.
The DWM says that residents can promote the aqua quality in their homes by flushing their system for five minutes — especially if it’s been six hours since turning on the faucets. To flush a line people need to run a faucet for five minutes or they can take a shower, do the dishes, or wash the laundry. If there has been construction on the water system on the resident’s block they should do an extensive flush on their lines.
Anyone concerned about the potential of having elevated lead levels should have their systems tested. The test kits available through the DWM have three bottles, instructions, and a mailing box. All a person has to do is follow the instructions included in the kit, place the bottled samples into the shipping box, and set it in the front doorway or entryway so a DWM representative can pick it up.
People can also schedule a time for a DWM worker to come to the residence and collect the samples. If anyone chooses this route they need to keep in mind they must be home at the scheduled time and the water cannot be used for over six hours. To schedule, an appointment Chicagoans can call 311 or fill out the form on their website (https://chicagowaterquality.org/)
In order to qualify for the program, residents have to live in a single-family home or two-flat they own. They must also have a household income below 80% of the area median income. A family of four, for example, must earn $83,350 or less.
Anyone interested in the program can apply online and email the application lead.safe@cityofchicago.org. They can also download the application and mail it to the Department of Water Management.
Written by Sheena Robertson
Sources:
Block Club Chicago: More Residents Now Eligible To Get Lead Water Lines Replaced Through City Programs
CHI DWM: ABOUT THE STUDY
Chicago: Area Median Income (AMI) Chart
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Sam Cox‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Arun Skariah‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
