Arlington Heights Residents Face Mounting Water Pressure Problems as 60-Year-Old Infrastructure Reaches Breaking Point
If you’ve noticed weak water pressure in your Arlington Heights home lately, you’re not alone. According to the Arlington Heights Department of Public Works, the city currently has over 200 miles of water main, 70 miles of which are more than 60 years old, with Arlington Heights having 260 miles of water mains with an average age of 61 years. This aging infrastructure is creating a perfect storm of water pressure issues that’s affecting neighborhoods across the village in 2025.
The Scale of Arlington Heights’ Infrastructure Crisis
The numbers tell a sobering story about Arlington Heights’ water system challenges. According to the American Water Works Association, water utilities should expect between 25 and 30 water main breaks a year for every per 100 miles of water main, but over the last five years Arlington Heights is averaging 94 breaks per 100 miles, with a Northwest Municipal Conference survey showing other suburbs have experienced about 42 water main breaks per 100 miles, less than half as many as Arlington Heights. In 2009, the village had 163 water main breaks, and by 2012, that number was up to 347.
This deteriorating infrastructure directly impacts water pressure throughout the community. As this infrastructure ages, the threat of contamination due to water main breaks is a major point of concern. When water mains break or leak, the system loses pressure, affecting entire neighborhoods and creating inconsistent water flow in homes and businesses.
Recent Water Pressure Issues in Arlington Heights
Multiple Arlington neighborhoods have experienced low water pressure over several days as repairs to water mains move along, with Buckingham, Douglas Park, Arlington Heights, Alcova Heights, Arlington Ridge and parts of Lyon Park being affected. Draining water pipes has caused “significant” pressure drops, and low temperatures could cause additional leaks, which would further reduce pressure.
The village has been actively working on water main improvements, with construction related to a Water Main Improvement Project along Euclid Avenue beginning in 2025, demonstrating ongoing efforts to address the aging infrastructure challenges.
Why Water Pressure Problems Are Getting Worse
Arlington Heights’ water pressure problems stem from several interconnected issues related to aging infrastructure. In Arlington Heights, where many homes have older plumbing infrastructure, hydrostatic testing is a proactive approach to prevent major water line failures. The village’s water system faces the same challenges affecting communities nationwide.
Each year, 2.1 trillion gallons of water are lost in the US due to breakdowns in the water infrastructure. Studies suggest that between 700 and 850 water main breaks occur each day in North America, causing more than $3 billion in repair costs annually. Arlington Heights is experiencing these problems at a higher rate than many comparable communities.
The Cost of Fixing Arlington Heights’ Water Infrastructure
Recognizing the severity of the problem, Arlington Heights officials have taken action. Water and sewer rates for Arlington Heights residents will be going up each year over the next five years to pay for what officials said are critical infrastructure needs, with the increase necessary to replace aging, and often broken, water mains, as “This money will go toward replacing water mains that are anywhere from 50 to 80 years old and have experienced a high frequency of water main breaks”.
Village officials said new rates are effective on bills issued on or after Jan. 1, 2025, with the water rate being $8.66 per thousand gallons, which is a $0.23 increase from 2024. While rate increases are never popular, they represent a necessary investment in preventing more severe water pressure problems and service disruptions.
What Arlington Heights Homeowners Can Do
When facing water pressure issues, it’s important to determine whether the problem is with your home’s plumbing system or the municipal water supply. In Arlington Heights, where many homes feature older plumbing systems, staying ahead of leaks is essential to prevent water damage, and for Arlington Heights homeowners, especially those with older homes, technology helps locate leaks quickly, minimizing disruption to your property.
If you’re experiencing consistent low water pressure throughout your home, it may be related to the municipal infrastructure issues. However, if the pressure problems are localized to specific fixtures or areas, you likely need professional plumbing assistance. A qualified plumber arlington heights can help diagnose whether your pressure issues are related to your home’s plumbing or the broader municipal system challenges.
Professional Plumbing Solutions for Pressure Problems
Go-Rooter Plumbing, serving Chicago and Cook County, understands the unique challenges facing Arlington Heights residents. The company takes great pride in offering the community cost-effective, speedy, and trustworthy plumbing service, with their number one goal being making sure customers are ecstatic about the work they do for them. Their story began with a simple idea: to offer honest, dependable plumbing service with no hidden fees, prioritizing clear communication and transparent pricing, so you’re never caught off guard.
As locals of Cook County, IL, familiar with common plumbing issues in the area, they are Cook County’s go-to plumbing company for all your needs, with skilled plumbers handling everything from a leaky faucet to complex sewer repair. This local expertise is particularly valuable when dealing with water pressure issues that may be related to both aging municipal infrastructure and home plumbing systems.
Looking Ahead: Arlington Heights’ Water Future
The water pressure problems in Arlington Heights reflect a broader national crisis. Despite a recent infusion of federal dollars, the health of the country’s aging water infrastructure has plateaued amid burgeoning environmental stressors and new cleanup demands, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Infrastructure Report Card.
Arlington Heights’ proactive approach to infrastructure investment, though costly, positions the community better than many others facing similar challenges. As one village trustee noted, “This is critical infrastructure. This is as much a public safety issue as police and fire. Without drinkable water and a public sewer system, we can’t survive”.
While the village works on long-term infrastructure solutions, residents experiencing water pressure problems should contact qualified professionals to address immediate concerns and protect their homes from potential damage related to pressure fluctuations and system failures.