Lead Service Line Inventory Grant Program

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is administering the Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Grant Program, aimed at assisting local government units in completing a comprehensive inventory of lead service lines. This initiative aligns with requirements set forth in Section 17.12 of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. The program is supported by federal funding via the 2022 BIL-Lead Grant, with a total allocation of $6,570,000 available for distribution in this round. The program's overarching goal is to support public water suppliers in compiling accurate, up-to-date inventories of all service lines within their jurisdictions, with particular attention to identifying lead components, thereby protecting public health and ensuring regulatory compliance. Eligible applicants are local government units in Illinois that serve as community water suppliers and have a median household income (MHI) below 120% of the state average. Applicants must be pre-qualified through the state's Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) portal before applying. Additional eligibility requirements include having a valid UEI number, current registration in the federal SAM.gov system, and good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State. Private individuals, businesses, and ineligible entities such as those listed on federal or state exclusion lists cannot apply. Grant funds are limited to the inventorying of service lines and cannot be used for lead service line replacement or internal staff salaries. Allowable costs include GIS mapping, records review, door-to-door inspections, predictive modeling, and contracted services with third-party vendors. The program requires recipients to contract with external vendors to complete inventories and submit deliverables that include an accessible online inventory, proof of public notification, and detailed invoicing. Disbursement is split into two phases: 50% upon submission of an executed service contract and 50% upon submission of a complete inventory and final documentation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are expended, with awards issued on a first-come, first-served basis for qualifying applicants. Each grant will range between $20,000 and $50,000, depending on the number of service connections. For instance, systems with fewer than 100 connections may receive up to $20,000, while systems with 5,000 or more may receive up to $50,000. The number of awards anticipated ranges from 131 to 328, depending on available funds and applicant eligibility. To apply, applicants must submit several components, including a uniform grant application, grant budget template, project summary worksheet, programmatic risk assessment questionnaire (PRAQ), certifications and assurances, conflict of interest disclosure, and executive compensation data. These must be submitted electronically via email or physically delivered to the Illinois EPA. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Award notifications will be sent within 30 days of submission, and fully executed grant agreements are typically issued within 60 days of application receipt. All projects funded through the LSLI Grant Program require quarterly reporting, including financial and performance documentation, and a final project report summarizing activities, findings, and expenditures. For questions about the program or application process, applicants are encouraged to contact Lanina Clark at the Illinois EPA via email at [email protected] or by phone at (217) 782-2027. Additional technical guidance and application documents are available on the Illinois EPA’s official website.