Price tag goes up for Barrington iron filtration project by $2.5 million

Barrington is finding its iron filtration plant rehabilitation project a bit more costly than originally expected.

Public Works Director Fred Braun told the village board Monday the cost, originally estimated at $7 million, could reach $9.5 million.

The village board is expected to vote at its Feb. 9 meeting whether to award the lowest bid contract for construction services to Boller Construction Co. Inc. for $9,537,600.

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

“Without that, you get the discolored water,” Braun said. “It’s still safe to drink, but it doesn’t look like it’s safe to drink. So It’s like orange. It will stain clothes. It will stain toilets.”

Built in 2000, the facility is well beyond its life expectancy.

Braun anticipates completion of the project in 2028.

The village was hoping to complete the project without rehabilitating two wells on the site. But during the design stage, village officials realized the new system could not be installed without rehabilitating the wells, costing an additional $600,000.

But, Braun said, that also meant replacing the electronic controls for the wells and the pumps, costing $1.5 million.

“You can’t run new equipment off of all those old components,” explained Kevin Fecske, assistant public works director. “It’s not safe.”

The good news, Braun said, is the additional funding won’t be needed right away, adding the $7 million bond is already approved.

Village Manager Scott Anderson will look for ways to fill the gap without borrowing.

“We'll know better probably in about a year from now as to what is the best course of action, or at least provide some alternatives, but it certainly will not impact this year's budget,” Anderson said.