Some Aurora Homes Have 'Elevated Levels' Of Lead In Drinking Water, City Confirms

AURORA, IL — Some Aurora homes have "elevated levels" of lead in their drinking water, city officials confirmed.

Between January and June, members of the city's Water Production Division analyzed 100 samples of water, finding more than 10 percent exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's action level for lead — 15 parts per billion, or 0.015 milligrams per liter.

Officials emphasized in a public notice Monday afternoon that the result does not mean all drinking water in Aurora contains lead, and water originating from the city's Water Treatment Plant does not have lead in it. But given the results, the city is required by law to notify all residents.

The outcome of the tests serves as a "statistical representation of lead found in specific qualified homes that participated in the sampling program," according to the notice. Aurora credited the findings to the Illinois EPA instituting new water testing standards in late 2024.

Previously, staff only had to test the first liter of water that came out of a faucet for lead particles. The new testing standards require the fifth liter of water to also undergo testing.

"This testing change will contribute to a higher rate of lead being found, as the fifth liter of water has spent more time in the lead service line, causing more particles to be present when testing," Aurora officials wrote in the notice. "The particles come from the lead service line, not the water treatment plant."

The city shared what actions it is taking to mitigate lead exposure risks from drinking water:

• Ongoing sampling to monitor lead occurrence and levels throughout the water distribution system
• Public education to assist homeowners with actions they can take individually to reduce exposure to lead
• Ongoing removal of lead service lines throughout Aurora
• Evaluation of centralized enhanced corrosion control water treatment to minimize pipe and plumbing components from corroding and contributing to lead dissolving in the water

Aurora has replaced 2,520 lead service lines since 2018, and more are scheduled in the coming years.

"The City of Aurora will continue its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of every household in the community through proper testing, treatment, and supply of water," officials wrote in the public notice.