by Gary Parker, The Chicago Times
May 19, 2022
CHICAGO – Mayor Lori Lightfoot orders resumption of water meter installations.
According to a Fifth-Floor announcement, citizens of Chicago will soon have new water meters installed at a minimum cost of $1,300 per home. Lightfoot had placed the project on hold in 2019 when lead levels rose to an astounding 22 percent in homes after the new meters were installed.
Lightfoot is taking advantage of a new Illinois law that requires the installation of lead-free water supply lines when a new meter is installed.
City bean counters estimate that installation costs for meters in an exterior vault could reach $3,700 per home. Currently, it is estimated that 15% of installations will require vaults. It is estimated that 10,000 installations will be completed by January 1 with the aid of a $15 million loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
The Chicago Times 