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HB 3141

EPA-WATER MAIN INSTALLATION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Don DeWitte and 1 co-sponsor

The bill centralizes IEPA approval for all water main projects, including hydrants and valves, requiring written permit compliance and adherence to specified standards.

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Bill Summary · HB 3141

Summary — HB 3141 (Public Act 104‑0277): EPA — Water Main Installation

Bill number / Title: HB 3141 — EPA‑WATER MAIN INSTALLATION
Statute amended: Environmental Protection Act, 415 ILCS 5/15
Sponsor: Rep. Jeff Keicher
Status: Enacted as Public Act 104‑0277; Governor approved 8/15/2025
Effective date: January 1, 2026

Purpose / Intent

Clarify and strengthen Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Agency/IEPA) oversight of water main installation projects by expressly requiring Agency review and written approval to include water mains and related appurtenances (notably fire hydrants and valves) and by specifying applicable design and installation standards.

Key provisions and changes

  • Requires owners/authorized representatives of public water supplies to submit plans and specifications to the Agency and obtain written approval before starting construction, as already required, but explicitly:
    • In water main installation projects, all water mains and appurtenances — including, but not limited to, fire hydrants and valves — that are owned or controlled by a public water supply and located in a public right‑of‑way or utility access easement must be included in the Agency’s written approval.
  • States that design review and permitting of water mains and fire hydrants is the sole responsibility of the Agency, and such components must be installed in accordance with the Agency’s written permit.
  • Requires fire hydrants connected to a plumbing system to be installed in accordance with the Illinois Plumbing License Law and applicable rules/ordinances.
  • Incorporates (in bill text and legislative synopsis) adherence to industry/local standards — examples cited in drafts include:
    • Ten State Recommended Standards for Water Works (Great Lakes‑Upper Mississippi River Committee)
    • Standard Specifications for Water and Sewer Construction in Illinois
    • Local fire code in effect for the installation area
  • Leaves intact other existing requirements in Section 15: demonstration of technical/financial/managerial capacity for new supplies and a 10‑year records retention requirement for community water systems.

Who is affected

  • Public water supply owners/operators (including municipal utilities and water districts)
  • Engineers, designers, and contractors performing water main, hydrant, and valve work
  • Local governments and fire authorities (through required compliance with local fire codes)
  • Licensed plumbers for hydrants connected to plumbing systems

Practical impact / considerations

  • Centralizes design approval authority for water mains, hydrants, and valves with the Agency (may reduce local permitting overlap but could change project review workflows).
  • May require additional plan detail and compliance with referenced technical standards, potentially affecting project timelines and costs.
  • Reinforces professional and code compliance for hydrant installations tied into plumbing systems.
  • Existing requirements (capacity demonstrations for new supplies, 10‑year record retention) remain in force.

Legislative timeline (selected)

  • Introduced: 2/21/2025
  • Passed both chambers: 5/22/2025
  • Sent to Governor: 6/20/2025
  • Governor approved / Public Act enacted: 8/15/2025
  • Effective: 1/1/2026

If you want, I can produce a plain‑language checklist for municipal water authorities or a summary of likely permitting steps under the Agency’s clarified authority.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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