The checklist

  1. Service line. Find out what the pipe from the street is made of. Crest Hill's public service line map lists no lead service lines out of 6,729 addresses. The City-owned part of the line is still unknown at most addresses, so 5,295 lines are unknown overall, and 138 customer-owned lines are galvanized requiring replacement. EPA's Protect Your Tap guide shows how to check at the meter.
  2. Solder and pipes inside. Copper pipes joined before 1986 may use lead solder. A licensed plumber can tell you what you have.
  3. Faucets and fixtures. Older brass or chrome-plated brass faucets can add lead. Clean aerators every few months; consider replacing very old kitchen faucets with certified lead-free ones.
  4. Test the kitchen tap. Use an Illinois EPA accredited lab. How to test.
  5. Water heater. Check the setting — CDC guidance points to at least 120°F to limit Legionella — and flush it on the maker's schedule.
  6. Hardness. Crusty faucets and spotty glasses mean hard water. A softener helps with that — not with lead.
  7. Drinking water plan. Until you know, use cold water, run the tap after it sits, and consider a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead.

Want help sorting it out? Our free Crest Hill water report starts with what public records say about your address — no home visit needed.

Quick questions

Do all older homes have lead?

No. But EPA says lead pipes are more likely in homes built before 1986, and brass faucets and lead solder are the most common sources in homes without a lead service line. Testing is the only way to know.

Sources

  1. City of Crest Hill water service line inventory dashboard (data last updated August 15, 2025) — City of Crest Hill
  2. Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water — U.S. EPA
  3. Protect Your Tap: A Quick Check for Lead — U.S. EPA
  4. Lead in Water — Illinois Department of Public Health
  5. Vacation Rental Owners and Managers (Legionella control) — CDC

This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Crest Hill Water Filtration is an independent business and is not affiliated with the City of Crest Hill. Product certifications are model-specific and can change; check the current listing before you buy.