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Connection quotes, meter costs, deposits, rates and field requirements can change. Confirm project-specific charges with the Water Department before paying a contractor, ordering materials or beginning excavation.
Loves Park Water Department: New Connection, Deposit & Setup
Loves Park, Illinois water service setup guide
Starting Water Service? First Decide Whether You Need an Account Activation or a New Physical Connection
A move into a property that already has a Loves Park water connection is different from constructing a new service line, meter or tap into the municipal system.
For either situation, start with the Loves Park Water Department at 5440 Walker Avenue or call (815) 877-1421. The current City Code contains separate charges for a physical connection, service activation and meter installation—and its security-deposit rule is often misunderstood.
The important distinction
Loves Park Water Setup: Quick Answer
Property Already Has City Water
You probably need an account/service activation, not a completely new tap into the water main.
Start: (815) 877-1421 See account setup stepsNo Existing Municipal Connection
You need the Water Department’s formal connection application, sizing, approval, inspection and fee process.
Capital and meter costs can apply. See connection workflowIs there a fixed new-customer water deposit?
Not under the current general security-deposit rule. Loves Park Code §90-126 says a security deposit is collected when an account becomes delinquent. The amount is based on that account’s average quarterly bill rather than a universal fixed dollar amount.
A new construction connection can trigger a capital reimbursement fee, activation fee, meter fee, installation costs and possibly right-of-way requirements even though the general security-deposit rule does not establish a blanket upfront deposit for every new account.
Contact before setup
Loves Park Water Department Address, Phone & Hours
Loves Park Water Department
5440 Walker Avenue
Loves Park, IL 61111
Main phone: (815) 877-1421
Published office hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Lobby by appointment
The current Water Department customer portal states that the lobby is open by appointment only.
Drive-up available
The drive-up window remains available for payments and inquiries.
Moving into a home or business
How to Set Up Water at an Already-Connected Loves Park Property
If a meter and municipal water service already exist at the property, do not automatically assume you need the physical new-connection process described later on this page.
Call (815) 877-1421 and tell staff that the property already has municipal water and you need to establish or activate service for a new occupant or owner.
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1
Confirm the service address
Give the exact Loves Park property address and ask the department to confirm that it is served by the municipal water system.
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2
Explain that a connection already exists
This helps staff distinguish ordinary account activation from a construction project requiring a new tap or service line.
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3
Ask what account documentation is required
The City’s public Water Department pages do not currently provide a complete online checklist of identification, closing or lease documents for an ordinary move-in account. Confirm the current requirements directly instead of assuming.
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4
Ask which activation fee applies
Current Code §90-118 assesses a service activation fee on new service activation. The amount depends on service size.
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5
Confirm the effective service date
Ask when responsibility changes to the new account and whether the department needs a meter reading or field visit.
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6
Create your online portal access after the account exists
The customer portal provides current balance, history, payment functions, AutoPay and SMS/text billing options.
Helpful information to have when calling
New construction or new tap
How to Get a New Loves Park Water Connection
For a property that needs an actual connection into the Loves Park municipal waterworks system, the current City Code establishes a formal application and approval process.
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1
Call before designing the connection
Contact the Water Department at (815) 877-1421 to confirm municipal service availability and department requirements for the specific parcel.
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2
Obtain the Water Department connection application
Code §90-54 requires a person wanting to connect to the City water system or use City water to first submit an application on a form furnished by the department.
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3
Describe the proposed connection
The application must identify the location, type and size of connection, what the water will be used for, and plumbing or related work connected to the project.
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4
Prepare engineering when required
For connections subject to the capital-reimbursement provisions, the Code requires project layout and engineering information used to evaluate water volumes and impacts. Required engineering computations must be sealed by an Illinois-registered professional engineer.
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5
Review the complete fee quote
Do not budget only for the capital reimbursement fee. Activation, meter, installation, branch-connection and other project-specific costs can also apply.
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6
Handle right-of-way requirements
If work will occur in a public right-of-way, Code §90-54 requires the applicable permit and bond under Chapter 74.
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7
Coordinate the actual connection
The Department must be notified in advance of the date and time the connection will be made.
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8
Pass Water Department inspection
Connections and plumbing served by the connection are subject to inspection, supervision and approval by the Director of Public Works or an authorized representative.
The municipal code requires the application before a connection is made and gives the City inspection and approval authority over the connection.
A commonly misunderstood charge
Loves Park Water Deposit: How the 2026 Rule Actually Works
The general security-deposit section applies when an account becomes delinquent.
The amount depends on the individual account rather than a single City-wide fixed deposit.
The Code says the deposit is held for 24 months.
After 24 months in good standing, the Water Department Manager may release the deposit to the account applicant.
If you are opening an ordinary water account and have never been delinquent, the current §90-126 language does not establish a standard $50, $100 or $200 security deposit simply because you are a new customer.
The Code separately requires a refundable meter deposit for certain extraordinary water uses. That special meter-deposit rule should not be confused with the ordinary customer security-deposit provision.
See §§90-115 through 90-127 for current fees, security deposits and rates.
Budget the whole project
Loves Park New Water Connection Fees
A physical new connection can involve multiple charges. The following are separate fee categories in the current Loves Park Code.
Single-family residential
Current §90-117 lists a $1,700 capital reimbursement fee for a single-family residential unit connecting to the City water system.
Varies by service size
Current §90-118 contains three activation-fee tiers based on service size.
New-service meter fee
§90-119 says the applicant pays the cost of the meter plus $25.
Installation / branch work
Materials, labor, service branch work and project-specific construction costs can be quoted separately.
The current online Municode table clearly displays the three fee amounts—$50, $80 and $160—but its service-size range labels are malformed in the public web rendering. Rather than guess the breakpoints, confirm your service size and applicable tier with the Water Department.
Capital reimbursement fees for larger connections
| Water Line Size | Capital Reimbursement Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | $2,800 |
| 1½ inches | $5,600 |
| 2 inches | $9,000 |
| 3 inches | $17,000 |
| 4 inches | $29,000 |
| 6 inches | $56,000 |
| 8 inches | $65,000 |
| 10 inches and above | $75,000 |
The current Code provides for capital reimbursement fees at 50% of the listed amount for these categories.
Single-family connection cost
Can the $1,700 Residential Connection Fee Be Paid in Installments?
Current Code §90-117 references an installment payment plan agreement for the single-family residential capital reimbursement fee.
Do not assume installment terms automatically apply to every project.
The owner, resident, occupier and/or tenant involved in the connection may need to enter the City’s required agreement.
The Code allows the City to charge an administrative and recording fee of $150 when the installment agreement is signed.
The Code establishes the framework but your guide should not invent payment dates, number of installments or eligibility terms that are not clearly published in the current public text.
Price protection
How Long Is a Loves Park Water Connection Quote Valid?
Code §90-36 says prices quoted for installation of water mains, service branch connections or meters are honored for 60 days from the quote date.
If payment has not been made in full, increased material or labor costs can cause the installation price to be revised without maintaining the earlier quote.
- Capital reimbursement fee
- Service activation fee
- Meter and meter-installation cost
- Service branch or tap work
- Right-of-way requirements
- Engineering or plan-review requirements
- Any unusual system modification
- Applicable contractor / plumbing work
Connection application
Information Required for a Physical Water Connection
Section 90-54 is more specific than a generic “start water” form. It requires details about the actual proposed connection and connected plumbing.
Identify the property and proposed connection location.
Describe the connection and intended water service.
Service size affects system design and several fee categories.
Residential, commercial, industrial, fire or other service can change requirements.
The application must describe related plumbing and plumbing work.
If yes, additional permit and bonding provisions apply.
The City Code states that the plumber is responsible for the work performed and resulting damages. Coordinate City and plumbing requirements before scheduling excavation.
Do not mix fee categories
Loves Park Water Connection Fee Decoder
| Charge | When It Applies | Current Code Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Capital reimbursement | Physical connection into municipal system | $1,700 single-family; larger-use schedule varies |
| Service activation | New service activation | $50 / $80 / $160 tiers by service size |
| Meter fee | New service meter | Meter cost + $25 |
| Security deposit | Account becomes delinquent | Average quarterly bill; held 24 months |
| Closing administration | Final bill requested to close account | $30 |
| Meter test | Customer requests meter testing | $50; refundable if meter tests over 3% against customer |
| Returned check | Qualifying returned payment | $25 |
| Late penalty | Bill not paid within allowed time | 10% of amount due |
If service has already been shut off
Restoring Loves Park Water Service Is Not the Same as Starting a New Account
The current Code has different restoration provisions depending on why service must be restored.
§90-121
The general service-restoration provision lists $40 during regular business hours and $75 after hours for reasons other than an emergency repair situation.
§90-71
The separate terminated-service provision lists $50 during its stated business hours and $100 during non-business hours, weekends and holidays.
Because the current Code maintains separate fee provisions, call the Water Department before paying or assuming the amount required to restore a disconnected account.
Before scheduling installation
New Loves Park Water Connection Checklist
- Confirm the property is served by Loves Park municipal water. Do this before paying engineering or connection costs.
- Determine whether service already exists. An account activation is much different from constructing a new municipal connection.
- Get the Water Department application. Physical connections require a department-furnished application.
- Confirm required service size. Size affects design, activation charges and commercial connection fees.
- Ask whether sealed engineering is required. Relevant connection projects can require Illinois professional-engineer submissions.
- Request the full City cost quote. Ask for capital, activation, meter, branch and other applicable costs.
- Record the quote date. Installation quotes are protected for 60 days under the current Code.
- Resolve right-of-way permits and bonds. Required when applicable work occurs in the public right-of-way.
- Coordinate the plumber / contractor. Do not schedule connection work without the City’s required coordination.
- Notify the Water Department before connecting. The City must be notified in advance of connection timing.
- Complete inspection and approval. The connection must comply with Water Department specifications.
- Finish account activation and portal setup. Confirm billing responsibility and then create online payment access.
After service starts
Current Loves Park Water Rates in 2026
The current municipal Code lists consumption rates effective October 1, 2025. Single-family residential accounts inside the City are billed quarterly; other account types are generally billed monthly under the Code.
| Monthly Rate Block | Charge |
|---|---|
| First 20,000 gallons | $5.45 / 1,000 gallons |
| Next 40,000 gallons | $4.87 / 1,000 gallons |
| Over 60,000 gallons | $4.23 / 1,000 gallons |
The Code says the number of gallons in each rate block is multiplied by three for accounts billed quarterly.
The Code lists higher service and consumption charges outside the corporate limits. Confirm jurisdiction before estimating a bill.
After account setup
Loves Park Water Online Account, AutoPay & Bill Payment
Loves Park Water Customer Web Portal
Customers can log in, use Quick Pay and manage supported billing options through the current utility portal.
Portal account
View current balance, account history, usage information and available payment functions.
Pay without full navigation
The portal currently provides a Quick Pay route for customers.
Automatic withdrawal
The portal states AutoPay is pulled on the 15th of the statement month or the next business day.
Text billing
Customers can subscribe for SMS/text communication through portal communication preferences.
5440 Walker Avenue
The current portal notice says the drive-up window is available for payments and inquiries.
(815) 654-5005
The City’s FAQ identifies this number for water-bill payments by phone.
The current customer portal states that payment plans can be offered upon request. Contact the Water Department before the account progresses further into delinquency.
Potential ongoing savings
Loves Park Senior Water Bill Discount
Loves Park residents age 65 and older can apply for the City’s water-bill senior discount.
The City requires proof of age.
5440 Walker Avenue, Loves Park, IL 61111.
Call (815) 877-1421 before visiting if you need to confirm current documentation or lobby access.
Official Senior Discount NoticeWhat you are connecting to
What the Loves Park Water Department Maintains
Groundwater supply
The municipal system uses wells as part of its drinking-water supply infrastructure.
Storage & pressure
Water towers form part of the system used to serve Loves Park customers.
Treatment facilities
The Water Department operates and oversees facilities serving the municipal system.
Distribution network
The department maintains City water mains and manages system expansion.
Water measurement
The Water Department maintains municipal meters and has implemented automated meter-reading technology.
IEPA requirements
The Department identifies compliance with applicable Illinois drinking-water requirements as a core responsibility.
Current annual report
2026 Loves Park Water Quality Report
2026 Consumer Confidence Report
The City’s Water Department currently posts its 2026 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report along with earlier reports and UCMR 5 information.
The City’s current report also confirms the Water Department’s 5440 Walker Avenue address and (815) 877-1421 customer contact number.
Office visit
Loves Park Water Department Map
5440 Walker Avenue
Loves Park Water Department
5440 Walker Avenue
Loves Park, IL 61111
Phone: (815) 877-1421
Published hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Lobby: Current portal says appointment only.
Drive-up: Available for payments and inquiries.
Open in Google MapsConnection terminology
Loves Park Water Setup Terms
- Account Activation
- Establishing water billing or activating service, especially at a property where the municipal connection already exists.
- Capital Reimbursement Fee
- A connection charge intended to reimburse the City for part of the water-system costs associated with a user’s connection.
- Service Activation Fee
- A separate fee assessed on new service activation, with the amount based on service size.
- Meter Fee
- The applicant’s charge for a new water meter, equal under the Code to the meter’s cost plus $25.
- Security Deposit
- Under current §90-126, a deposit triggered by account delinquency and calculated from the account’s average quarterly bill.
- Service Branch Connection
- The physical water-service connection associated with the municipal distribution system and customer property.
Official action links
Official Loves Park Water Resources
New connection questions
Loves Park Water Department Setup FAQs
1. How do I start water service in Loves Park?
Call the Loves Park Water Department at (815) 877-1421. If the property already has municipal service, tell staff you need an account or service activation. If the property needs a new tap or service line, ask for the Water Department’s connection application and project requirements.
2. Does Loves Park require a deposit to open a new water account?
The current general security-deposit rule in Code §90-126 does not establish a universal fixed deposit for every new ordinary account. It says a security deposit is collected if an account becomes delinquent. Confirm whether another case-specific charge applies to your particular setup.
3. How much is the Loves Park water security deposit?
When §90-126 is triggered by account delinquency, the deposit is based on the average quarterly bill for that account. It is therefore not one fixed City-wide amount.
4. When do I get my Loves Park water deposit back?
The Code says the security deposit is held for 24 months. If the account has remained in good standing for 24 months, the Water Department Manager may release the deposit to the account applicant.
5. How much is a new residential water connection in Loves Park?
The current Code lists a $1,700 capital reimbursement fee for a single-family residential unit connecting to the municipal water system. This is not necessarily the full project cost because service activation, meter, branch-connection, contractor and other applicable charges may also apply.
6. Is there a Loves Park water activation fee?
Yes. Code §90-118 applies a service activation fee to new service activations. The current online code displays fee tiers of $50, $80 and $160 based on service size. Because the public table’s size labels currently render incorrectly, confirm the correct tier directly with the Water Department.
7. How much does a new Loves Park water meter cost?
Under Code §90-119, the meter fee for a new service equals the actual cost of the meter plus $25. Ask the Water Department for the current meter cost for your required size.
8. What information is required for a new physical water connection?
Code §90-54 requires the connection application to identify the location, type and size of connection, intended water use, and related plumbing work. Additional engineering, right-of-way, permit, bonding and inspection requirements can apply depending on the project.
9. How long is a Loves Park water connection quote valid?
The current Code says quoted prices for installation of water mains, service branch connections or meters are honored for 60 days from the quote date. After that, unpaid quotes can change because of material or labor cost increases.
10. Where is the Loves Park Water Department?
The Loves Park Water Department is at 5440 Walker Avenue, Loves Park, IL 61111. The main phone number is (815) 877-1421. Published hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; the current customer portal says lobby access is by appointment and the drive-up window remains available for payments and inquiries.
Verification standard
Sources & Editorial Notes
- City of Loves Park — Water Department
- Loves Park Water — Current Customer Portal
- Loves Park Code — Article II Water Service
- Loves Park Code of Ordinances — Current Publication
- City of Loves Park — General Questions / Water Bill Payment
- City of Loves Park — Senior Water Discount
- Loves Park Water Department — 2026 Consumer Confidence Report
This guide intentionally separates a security deposit from a capital reimbursement fee, service activation fee and meter fee. Treating all of these as a generic “new customer deposit” would misstate the current municipal code.
The current Municode display clearly publishes activation fees of $50, $80 and $160 but renders the corresponding service-size ranges incorrectly. This guide therefore does not guess those size ranges and tells applicants to confirm the applicable tier with the Water Department.