Aqua Illinois $12.5 Million University Park Water Settlement

Danielle Toth

Editor

Published

May 28, 2026 3:11 PM

Updated

May 28, 2026

Who can file a claim?

The class includes all persons and entities who, at any time between Dec. 9, 2017, and July 10, 2024, received water from Aqua’s University Park, Illinois, public water system or were subject to a do not consume notice or lead advisory.

This includes:

Individuals who lived at a University Park address during the relevant period
Nonresidential customers (such as businesses or organizations) who received water from the system
Anyone who paid for water as part of rent or lease payments

How much can class members get?

The amount each class member receives depends on several factors, including whether they were a residential or nonresidential customer, the type of notice their address received and the types of damages claimed. The settlement provides for both economic and noneconomic damages, as well as compensation for personal injuries.

Detailed breakdown of potential payments

Noneconomic damages for residential customers:

Up to $1,000 per household for those subject to the “do not consume” notice
Up to $2,000 per household for those also subject to the “lead advisory” (calculated at $400 per year up to five years)

Economic damages:

Out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., bottled water, filters, medical bills, etc.): Up to $110 for the “do not consume” period plus $60 per year for each year under the “lead advisory” (up to $300 total without documentation and more with proof)
Reimbursement for water payments (August 2018–May 2019): Up to $20 per resident without documentation and more with proof
Lost wages (residential): Up to $1,029 with documentation
Lost commercial net income (businesses): Up to $2,980 with documentation

Personal injuries (residential):

Skin issues: Up to $1,565 with proof or $155 without
Hair issues: Up to $2,655 with proof or $265 without
Significant medical issues: Up to $3,505 with proof or $350 without
Severe medical issues: Up to $6,130 with proof or $615 without
Elevated lead in blood tests: Up to $30,045 with proof

Non-residential (business) customers:

Time spent addressing water concerns: Up to $120 for the do not consume period plus $90 per year for each year under the lead advisory (up to $450 total without documentation and more with proof)
Out-of-pocket expenses: Up to $175 for do not consume period plus $40 per year for each year under the lead advisory (up to $200 total without documentation and higher with proof)
Reimbursement for water payments: Up to $80 per business without documentation and higher with proof
Lost commercial net income: Up to $1,563 for the do not consume period plus $469 per year for each year under the lead advisory (up to $2,980 with documentation)

If the total value of approved claims exceeds the net settlement fund, the settlement administrator will reduce payments proportionally (pro rata). If the total value of approved claims is less than the net settlement fund, the settlement administrator will increase payments proportionally.

The Village of University Park may receive up to $100,000 for its own economic damages.

If there are any funds left after all payments and expenses, the settlement administrator will donate the remainder to the 501(c)(3) organization Faith In Place.

How to claim a class action payment

Eligible class members can submit an online claim form or download and print a PDF paper claim (starting on page 112 of the settlement agreement), complete it and mail it to the settlement administrator. If submitting a claim for a minor, the claimant must provide a declaration of legally authorized representative of minor.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Arnold v. Aqua, Class-Settlement.com, PO Box 9009, Hicksville, NY 11802-9009

The deadline to submit a claim is July 6, 2026.

What proof or documentation is necessary to submit a claim?

Out-of-pocket expenses: No documentation required up to $110 (residential) or $175 (business) for “do not consume” period. Higher amounts require receipts or other proof.
Personal injuries: No documentation required up to the cap for each injury category. Higher amounts require medical records, test results or receipts.
Water payments: No documentation required up to $20 (residential) or $80 (business). Higher amounts require bills or payment records.
Lost wages or commercial net income: Documentation required (pay stubs, employer letters and financial records)

Payout options

Venmo (provide mobile number)
Zelle (provide mobile number or email address)
Virtual prepaid card (provide email address)
Physical check (provide address)

$12.5 million settlement fund

The $12,500,000 settlement fund includes:

Settlement administration costs: Up to $70,000
Attorneys' fees: Up to $4,375,000
Attorneys' expenses: Up to $550,000
Service awards to class representatives and other plaintiffs: $200 to $4,000 each depending on participation
Payments to approved class members: Remainder of the fund

Important dates

Deadline to file a claim: July 6, 2026
Fairness hearing: Aug. 24, 2026

When is the University Park Water Settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments 14 days after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval or 14 days after the court dismisses similar cases (i.e., the Boyd case, the Biloche case and the Henderson case) with prejudice, whichever is later.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged Aqua Illinois Inc. released lead into the drinking water in University Park, Illinois, resulting in health risks, out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages and other damages.

Aqua Illinois Inc. denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation costs and uncertainty.