Cicero Begins $200M Plan to Replace 13,000 Lead Water Lines

Village leaders say the project will help alleviate frequent flooding and improve water quality for residents.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:53pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of construction equipment and workers on a residential street, with soft pools of warm color and light creating a hazy, atmospheric mood that conceptually represents the challenges and importance of Cicero's lead line replacement initiative.Cicero's lead water line replacement project aims to improve public health by removing a major source of lead exposure, though success depends on resident cooperation.Cicero Today

Crews have begun a four-block project in Cicero, Illinois to replace old lead water lines with new copper pipes, part of a larger $200 million plan to replace 13,000 lead water lines across the village. Cicero is one of the top municipalities in the state for having the most lead lines, and officials say completing the full project will require cooperation from homeowners to allow crews access to replace lines on private property.

Why it matters

Lead in drinking water can pose serious health risks, especially for children, and Cicero's aging infrastructure has also contributed to frequent flooding issues in the village. This project aims to improve water quality and mitigate flood risks for residents through a comprehensive overhaul of the water system.

The details

The initial four-block project on 48th Court is funded by a $3 million loan from the Illinois EPA. Crews will be replacing lead water lines under public roads and connecting new copper lines all the way into residents' basements. While the village is coordinating with homeowners to provide advance notice and flexible scheduling, officials say completing the full 13,000-line replacement will require widespread cooperation from residents to allow crews access to private property.

  • Work has begun on the initial four-block project on 48th Court in Cicero.
  • The four-block project is expected to be completed in a couple of months.

The players

Antonio Ramirez

A Cicero resident living on the 48th Court block where the initial project is taking place.

Lido Manetti

Cicero Sewer and Water Superintendent, overseeing the water line replacement project.

Larry Dominick

Mayor of Cicero, who says the full $200 million plan will replace 13,000 lead water lines across the village.

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What they’re saying

“Water is one of the most important things that we have to consume every day, and without lead, it's even better.”

— Antonio Ramirez, Cicero Resident

“The hard part is going to be for the residents now to let us into the house, because we're going to have to go from our water main all the way into their basement to put in a new copper water service for whoever doesn't have one.”

— Lido Manetti, Cicero Sewer and Water Superintendent

“We're hoping people let us in their basement. If they don't, they're going to be responsible. This way, the town is paying for it.”

— Larry Dominick, Cicero Mayor

What’s next

The village has applied for additional funding to continue the $200 million water line replacement project across Cicero after completing the initial four-block pilot.

The takeaway

Cicero's comprehensive plan to replace its aging lead water infrastructure will require significant cooperation from residents, but the long-term benefits of improved water quality and reduced flood risks make it a critical investment for the community.