Sycamore water issues

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: