Sycamore water issues

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More than 90 residential water service pipes lined with lead have been replaced by the city of Sycamore so far, according to a recent update from city officials.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