University Park Technical Assistance Program

It is important that a residential customer participating in the TAP cooperate with the program requirements. Specifically, customer cooperation within the TAP includes two components:

• Authorizing entry into the customer’s residence during regular business days, Monday through Friday, excluding national and state holidays, at mutually acceptable times, for Aqua to conduct TAP sampling, plumbing inspection, and plumbing remediation; and
•  Compliance with written sampling instructions provided by Aqua, if the customer collects the TAP samples.

A residential customer participating in the TAP will be deemed to have declined cooperation if they decline in writing Aqua’s request for cooperation; or fail to provide cooperation after Aqua has made three attempts to obtain cooperation, provided that at least one of Aqua’s attempts is in writing and Aqua grants at least 10 days between each attempt.

If a residential customer participating in the TAP declines to provide cooperation as referenced above, Aqua will not be required to complete the TAP requirements for that customer.

The Consent Order requires Aqua to fund the TAP including up to $900,000 for kitchen faucet plumbing remediation work, as necessary.

To the extent funding remains available, Aqua is required to continue to completion all activities under the program for each residential customer that is still in-progress as of the one-year termination date.

WaterFactsIL.com

Technical Assistance Program factsheet

EPA.SafeWater@illinois.gov or Barb Lieberoff, 217/524-3038

What is the Technical Assistance Program?

The Consent Order, between State of Illinois, Will County and Aqua, as described below, requires Aqua to establish, manage, and fund the Technical Assistance Program (TAP).

The TAP benefits go above and beyond the requirements of applicable State drinking water regulations. Residential customers within the Customer Resources Area, are eligible to receive drinking water sampling and depending on sampling results, potentially an in-home inspection and replacement of fixtures or plumbing, free of charge. The TAP steps are described in more detail below.

Under the TAP, residential customers in the Customer Resources Area who sign up to participate in the program before March 7, 2025 are eligible to receive the following services, free of charge:

• Collection of an initial tap water sample from the residential customer’s kitchen cold water faucet;
• If the result of the initial tap water sample is above 15 ppb for lead, the residential customer will be eligible for free filter devices, an in-home inspection of the visible plumbing for the residential customer’s kitchen faucet, and completion of initial corrective actions;
• If an in-residence inspection is performed, Aqua will schedule the collection of a post-inspection sample of the kitchen cold water tap with the residential customer to be analyzed for lead. The post-inspection sample will be collected at least 14 days after Aqua’s completion of the in-residence inspection.
• If the post-inspection tap water sample result is also above 15 ppb for lead, the residential customer will continue to be eligible for free filter devices. Aqua will connect the residential customer with an Illinois-licensed third-party plumber who will further inspect and remediate visible lead solder and/or lead-containing fixtures corresponding to the residential customer’s kitchen faucet. This work will be paid directly by Aqua up to a cost of $3,500.00.
• No earlier than 75 days from the completion of the kitchen faucet plumbing remediation work, the residential customer may contact Aqua to collect another tap sample from their kitchen faucet. If that sample is above 15 ppb for lead, the residential customer will continue to be eligible for free filter devices from Aqua until the respective sampling results do not exceed 15 ppb for two consecutive sampling events, with at least 30 days between each sampling event.

Who can participate in the TAP?

Aqua residential customers that own and/or lease a residential house, condominium unit, or apartment unit within the Customer Resources Area, which was previously referred to as the “Lead Advisory Area” can participate in the TAP by signing up by the deadline of March 7, 2025. Illinois EPA encourages residential customers to sign up for the TAP as soon as they can.

If a residential customer rents a house, condominium unit, or apartment unit, can they participate in the TAP?

Yes, a residential customer that rents a house, condominium unit, or apartment unit can participate in the TAP and get all the same benefits as an owner-occupied residence. To participate, all the tenants and owners of a rented house, condominium unit, or apartment unit need to sign the Participation Agreement. {link to exhibit}

How do I know if I live in the Customer Resources Area?

Aqua will send information to everyone in the Customer Resources Area. If you have questions, contact Aqua. Information on the eligible customer list is maintained by Aqua. For additional information review WaterFactsIL.com.

What are the requirements for residential customers to participate in the TAP?

To participate in the TAP, residential customers must live within the Customer Resources Area, which was previously known as the Lead Advisory Area, and sign up by the deadline of March 7, 2025.
To sign up, residential customers must complete the Participation Agreement

By March 7, 2025 the Participation Agreement must be returned to Aqua:

• By email WaterTesting@ramboll.com or
• In-person or by U.S. mail at

Ramboll, ATTN: Water Testing,
333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1050
Chicago, Illinois 60606

For continued participation in the TAP, there must be Customer Cooperation which means residential customers must allow entry to their residence for Aqua to conduct compliance or technical assistance program sampling, inspections of the plumbing, plumbing remediation work, and/or other work under the TAP. Additionally, Customer Cooperation includes compliance with Aqua’s sample collection written instructions. These activities can be completed by Aqua only with Customer Cooperation during regular business days, Monday thru Friday, excluding national and state holidays, at mutually acceptable times. If a residential customer declines to provide Customer Cooperation, Aqua is not required to complete the work under the TAP.

When does the TAP end?

The TAP will continue for one year after entry of the Consent Order, July 10, 2025. Aqua is required to complete all activities under the TAP for each residential customer that is still in-progress as of the one-year termination date, to the extent funding remains available. Illinois EPA encourages residential customers to sign up for the TAP as soon as they can.

What if a residential customer misses a scheduled TAP sampling, inspection, or other appointment?
It is very important that residential customers only schedule TAP sampling, inspection, or other appointments at a time they will be available to be at their residence. If customer knows they are going to be unavailable, contact Aqua immediately to change the appointment. If a residential customer misses three events that have been scheduled, under the Consent Order that customer has failed to provide Customer Cooperation and they may no longer be eligible for benefits of the TAP such as sampling, inspection, and remediation work.

Can a residential customer be removed from participating in the TAP?
The Consent Order requires Customer Cooperation and failure to cooperate may lead to a residential customer being removed from the TAP and no longer eligible for benefits of the TAP. The required cooperation by a residential customer includes:

• Allowing entry into the residence to conduct compliance or TAP sampling, inspections, plumbing remediation work, and other TAP work, and
• Following the sampling instructions provided by Aqua if the residential customer is collecting a compliance or TAP sample.

Will a residential customer receive notice before removal from the TAP?
Yes, before a residential customer can be determined to have not provided Customer Cooperation, Aqua must allow three attempts to obtain Customer Cooperation, including one attempt with written material explaining Customer Cooperation requirements.

Can a residential customer choose to stop participating in the TAP?

Yes, a residential customer can choose to stop participating in the TAP by stating to Aqua in writing that they are declining Aqua’s request for cooperation.

TAP Sample Collection

How can residential customers get their drinking water sampled under the TAP?

Every residential customer that signs up for the TAP by the deadline, will receive at least one and possibly three or more drinking water samples at their residence. First, an initial TAP sample will be collected. Second, if that initial TAP sample is above 15 ppb and an inspection occurs, a post-inspection will be collected at least 14 days after the inspection is completed. Finally, if plumbing remediation work is completed, residential customers may contact Aqua to collect another sample at least 75 days from the completion of the plumbing remediation work.

Who will collect water samples in my residence?

All TAP sampling may be collected either by Aqua directly (or its consultant) or by customers using sampling supplies provided by Aqua. If customers are taking the samples, then Aqua will provide sampling materials and written instructions. While there is no cost to customers either way, it is important to carefully follow the sample collection instructions provided by Aqua.

Plumbing Remediation Work

What is the plumbing remediation work offered under the TAP?

If a residential customer becomes eligible for plumbing remediation work under the TAP, an Illinois-licensed third-party plumber will inspect the plumbing of the residential customer’s kitchen faucet for lead-containing plumbing. The plumber will then remove and replace exposed lead-containing plumbing with lead-free materials. The plumber will not remove and replace any drywall, plaster, wall, flooring, ceiling or cabinetry, but instead will inspect and replace readily visible lead-containing plumbing.

Can residential customers choose their own plumber or be reimbursed by Aqua if they hire their own plumber?

No. The Consent Order allows Aqua to contract with an Illinois-licensed third-party plumber and directly pay the plumber. When negotiating the Consent Order, the parties agreed to this arrangement to allow convenience and ease to residential customers and increased oversight of compliance by the State with the terms of the Consent Order.

Post Remediation

What if a drinking water sample result is above 15 ppb after the plumbing remediation work?

After the plumbing remediation work is completed, residential customers may contact Aqua to request sampling of the kitchen tap. Aqua will then arrange for sampling to occur promptly, but no earlier than seventy-five (75) days after completion of the plumbing work. If that sample is above 15 ppb for lead, the residential customer would receive free filter devices from Aqua until the sampling results do not exceed 15 ppb for two consecutive sampling events, with at least thirty (30) days between each sampling event.

For residential customers that have plumbing remediation work, Illinois EPA recommends continuing to use a filter until post-remediation work sample results are below 15 ppb because a plumbing disturbance sometimes temporarily increases lead levels.

Funding

What is the funding available for the plumbing remediation work under the Consent Order?

Under the Consent Order, Aqua will directly fund the TAP including up to $900,000 for kitchen faucet plumbing remediation work, as necessary.

What if funding for the TAP runs out?

Since drinking water from Aqua’s Public Water System has met the LCR lead action level since July 1, 2021, the parties to the Consent Order anticipate that the $900,000 TAP Fund paid for by Aqua will be sufficient for all plumbing remediation work.

What if plumbing remediation work costs more than $3,500?

It is not anticipated that plumbing remediation work will cost more than $3,500, because this amount is greater than the prior plumbing remediation work Aqua has completed previously in University Park.

How will this plumbing remediation work be paid for?

The plumber contracted by Aqua will bill Aqua directly up to a cost of $3,500, which is greater than the prior plumbing remediation work Aqua has conducted in University Park. The plumber will send an invoice directly to Aqua and leave a copy of the invoice that is sent to Aqua with the residential customer to keep for their records.