Illinois Environmental Protection Agency officials recently told Shaw Local News Network the agency isn’t concerned about chlorine levels in Sycamore’s water. Here's what to know and the latest update on city drinking water:

City crews have worked to identify what type of water service lines exist in Sycamore to better determine which are lined with lead and in need of replacement.

The city of Sycamore has hired an engineering firm to prepare the final plans necessary for 2025 water main improvement projects.

As the city of Sycamore continues its efforts to replace lead-lined water pipes as required by a 2021 Illinois law, city leaders have now identified another goal: updating the city’s water master plan to guide future infrastructure needs.

Gov. JB Pritzker declared this week, Oct. 22 through Oct. 28, as Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, advocating to reduce lead exposure in children, his office said Friday. DeKalb County municipalities continue plans to replace lead-lined water pipes by 2027 under state law

Sycamore City Council has agreed for the city to take part in a nationwide pilot program that officials say will create a more efficient wastewater treatment at city facilities.

A $5.4 million plan was approved this week for radium removal for a Sycamore city well. City leaders said residents shouldn't expect to see additional fee increases beyond what was approved in the spring.

Sycamore residents who frequent DeKalb Avenue won’t have to detour on Cross Street for much longer, as city officials said water main work in the area will soon be complete. A temporary pause on lead service line replacement is also in effect.

The Sycamore City Council awarded a $2.5 million contract to a Gilberts-based company for water main improvement projects on DeKalb and Elm streets, with construction set to start before April.

Sycamore residents soon will see rate increases on their water bills – and changes to the billing structure – starting May 1, after a Sycamore City Council vote this week.

The Sycamore City Council on Monday will consider a contract request for a Gilberts-based company to undertake $2.5 million worth of water main improvement projects this year. Another vote is expected on proposed water bill fee hikes.

Sycamore city officials say inflation is primarily to blame for proposed fee hikes on monthly water bills for residents and businesses that could go into effect in May, if approved by the City Council. A vote is expected March 20.

Sycamore residents could see an uptick in their water utility bills pending City Council approval as city staff say rate increases are needed make up for revenue shortfalls meant to fund infrastructure improvements.

Sycamore agrees to $6M class action lawsuit settlement over water quality: As a result, the city is required to increase testing for lead and chlorine for the next three years, and commit millions to water infrastructure improvements through 2027.

Another 365 water service pipes lined with lead are set to be replaced for Sycamore residents after the city was granted a $4.1 million loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, officials confirmed this week.

The state grants are meant to aid Illinois municipalities in meeting the requirements of the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act. The 2021 law requires Illinois water systems to begin removal of lead service lines by Jan. 1, 2027.

The city of Sycamore has been awarded a $4 million loan by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for another round of lead water service line replacements planned for city residents. Here's how to see if you qualify for no-cost replacement:

More than 90 residential water service pipes lined with lead have been replaced by the city of Sycamore so far, according to a recent update from city officials. That and other infrastructure updates here:

The city of Sycamore is moving forward with a federally-mandated plan to treat its wastewater and recently hired a consulting company for $107,000 to help develop the plan, meant to regulate water quality.

“We’re in the middle of a pandemic – we need fresh water,” said Sycamore resident Isaac Wilson. With plans underway for lead service line replacement in Sycamore, some residents say they still have trust issues with the city. Read Part 5 of a series on Sycamore water:

Sycamore residents may have recently received a letter from the city identifying their home as one serviced by lead-lined water lines, and inviting them to opt into a water line replacement program. Here's what to do if you get one:

Some Sycamore residents have reported the tap water in their homes is a murky brown or yellow color or has a foul smell. Here's what some Northern Illinois University experts say could be the cause, in Part 3 of a Daily Chronicle series on Sycamore water:

Issues concerning Sycamore residents about potential lead exposure from their water hits home with Northwestern Medicine pediatrician Kristina Stibitz, from Flint, Michigan. She's sharing signs for parents to watch for if they're concerned about health side effects.

Elevated lead levels in some Sycamore homes has a state agency keeping close tabs on city water. Read Part 1 of a series by the Daily Chronicle looking into the city of Sycamore’s water system and some of the concerns it's facing.

Stay tuned: Sycamore residents are concerned about the quality of water in their homes. The Daily Chronicle will publish a series starting Friday, Feb. 5 and throughout the month, examining this issue and public response to questions surrounding lead levels.

The City of Sycamore is one step closer to choosing a contractor for its lead water service line replacement project, an ongoing plan city officials said will address residents’ concerns about water quality in their homes.

Sycamore residents with lead water service pipes will now be able to get a lump sum check from the city for replacing the lines, as opposed to utility bill credits.

As a class-action lawsuit against the city related to water quality continues, Sycamore city officials recently approved a $99,200 agreement to complete design and bidding services for the City’s 2022 water main and street improvements plan.

The Sycamore City Council on Monday approved a program which officials said will offer utility bill credits to homeowners who replace privately-owned lead water lines within the city. “We are going to do as many reimbursements as residents come forward,” Peck said. “So there is no cap on it at this point.”

Proposal brought up during city budget discussions, with more info to come in April

City legal team issues response to class action lawsuit filed by residents

After months of public outcry over concerns about water quality, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the city of Sycamore by multiple residents Friday.

Sycamore city officials approved a $6.90 water bill base fee that would go toward city funds for water system improvements

The majority of aldermen gave their go ahead for the city to consider that base fee during their virtual Monday City Council meeting. City staff confirmed the proposal would come back for a council vote Nov. 2.

Test results from two EPA-certified laboratories show discrepancies in lead levels in Sycamore residents’ homes.

The following is a statement and list of concerns from a Sycamore-resident-led group called Citizens for Clean Water Sycamore, formed this year to address water quality within the city amid complaints of foul odors and lead levels.

Sycamore 2nd Ward Alderman Chuck Stowe said he hopes the city will get to the bottom of what’s been causing residents to complain for months about the foul odor and texture of the water in their homes before spending millions of dollars to not solve the problem

As residents continue to come forward expressing dismay at the quality of water in their homes, the Sycamore City Council will deliberate on a plan to begin addressing the issues in their meeting Oct. 5, City Manager Brian Gregory said.

Sycamore residents came before city officials Tuesday to again express strong frustrations at the city’s water system, including foul odors amid concerns about water quality.

Jennifer Campbell said the sewage-smelling water in her Sycamore home in the 400 block of Edwards Street where she’s lived for 16 years is so bad during the warm months that she and other neighbors can’t use it.

The City of Sycamore will undergo its first water study in more than a decade this week pending City Council approval.

Testing of water at a dozen school buildings in DeKalb and Sycamore has revealed elevated levels of lead, according to reports from District 428 and District 427