Barrington borrowing $6.8 million to replace iron filtration plant

Barrington will ask water users to dig a little deeper into their pockets next year so the village can replace its 25-year-old iron filtration system.

The village is borrowing $6.8 million for the project.

The iron filtration facility, located at 616 Bryant Ave., supports the community’s water supply, removing iron from well water, improving its taste and appearance.

“It improves the color,” Public Works Director Fred Braun said. “When the iron isn’t removed from the water, it looks orange.”

The village board this week agreed to issue general obligation bonds to be paid off over a 20-year period. It will pay off the bonds by charging water users a fixed monthly fee.

Deputy Village Manager Marie Hansen said the village is still deciding out how much users will pay. That will be determined when the village passes next year’s budget.

The flat fee guarantees a revenue stream for the village, unlike consumption-based fees which can fluctuate, Village Manager Scott Anderson said.

Assistant Director of Public Works Kevin Fecske said water is pumped from two nearby wells into two filters with four cells in each filter.

The iron deposits are trapped, and the clean water with a lower iron content exits through a valve.

Braun said work is expected to begin next year.

Trustee Jason Lohmeyer said the old iron filtration system, which dates back to 2000 and was designed to last 20 years, has reached the end of its useful life. The new system will be much more effective and efficient, he said at Monday’s village board meeting.

“We hear good things about the quality of that water, and we look forward to seeing the output meeting that expectation,” he said.