Residents Not Completing Lead Line Survey Could Cost Hillcrest $500 per Property

HILLCREST – There are around 60 property owners in Hillcrest who haven’t completed their water service line survey, and that could cost the village $500 each. Kenneth Rosales, an inspector from Baxter & Woodman, has been conducting home inspections to identify water service line materials, confirming data in up to 80 homes. So far, 85 in-home inspections have been completed, reducing the number of unknown lines from 161 to 60. Current findings include 326 copper, 20 galvanized, 12 plastic, one reported lead, and 22 unknown lines considered unlikely to be lead due to property age. The village must submit updated data or a revised replacement plan to the state by April 15 to avoid delays in future replacement work planned for 2026 and 2027. Officials are considering hydro excavating at unresponsive properties, which would cost about $500 per home, and may seek additional grant funding to cover those expenses. The Village of Hillcrest has received a $15,000 check from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for its ongoing material line survey and expects a second $15,000 payment soon.