Water, Sewer & Utility Rate Adjustments
The Village of Barrington utility bill includes charges for water, sewer, and recycling and refuse services. These services are operated as enterprise activities, meaning customer rates are set at levels sufficient to fully support day-to-day operations as well as ongoing infrastructure improvements. Each service is structured to break even on a perpetual basis.
In December 2025, the Village Board approved an increase to the water/sewer/refuse rate and a new flat monthly Capital Improvement Charge to ensure that rates continue to support operations and improvements. The changes are effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Information regarding the rate changes, ongoing improvements and frequently asked questions (FAQs) can be found below.
FAQs
Where does the Village get its water from? Where does my sewage go?
The Village’s water supply comes from four shallow wells. Water is pumped out of these wells, treated, and stored in reservoirs located at multiple sites. When the water tower and the standpipe reach a certain water level, water is pumped out of the reservoirs and into the distribution system. This system has watermains that travel throughout the Village. The water then travels from the watermains through individual water services and into buildings where it comes out of faucets, washing machines, toilets, showers and other fixtures.
After water is used in homes and businesses, it enters the sanitary sewer system, which removes sanitary waste from buildings, via sewer gravity mains, lift stations, and force mains. The gravity mains are directed towards the wastewater treatment plant located at Public Works. Three larger gravity mains from the north, east, and south are combined into one main pipe that flows the wastewater directly into the treatment plant, where it is treated and clean water is safely discharged into an unnamed tributary of Flint Creek. To learn more about the treatment process at the wastewater plant, view the educational videos on this page.
Why is a water & sewer rate increase necessary and what is the capital improvement charge on my bill?
Because the Water & Sewer Fund is an enterprise fund, the Village must collect the funds necessary for operations through user charges. It is not the Village’s goal for this fund to turn a profit in the traditional sense, rather to ensure a fair rate is charged for the operational and capital needs of the utility.
The Village code allows for an automatic increase of 5% annually as a starting point. If projected costs increase more than 5%, it may be necessary to increase rates by an equivalent amount.
A Capital Improvement Charge is new for 2026, effective Jan. 1, as a separate line item to the bill. The Village is undertaking two large capital projects beginning in 2026, further discussed below. The cost of these projects must be borne by users of the system. The Capital Improvement Charge will be added to water bills beginning March 1, 2026. This charge will be used to pay the debt service cost of the projects. The charge will be a flat monthly fee, it will not be based on water usage.
What are the new rates? How do I calculate my new estimated bill?
Please visit the Billing Rates for Water & Utility Services webpage for more information and a comparison of 2025 to 2026 rates, or use the calculator below to estimate your new bill. Please have a copy of your current bill available for reference.
What factors are considered when determining the water rate increase?
Cost of Services Analysis: The Village evaluates all costs associated with the production of water and treatment of wastewater when determining the water rates. Operation and maintenance costs, capital project costs, and debt service payments are analyzed annually during the budget process to determine the total cost of providing services for the upcoming year, and into the future.
User Group and Rate Structure Analysis: Identify the major tiers of users in the Village and assess their sufficiency and sustainability to fund the Village’s utilities (rate).
Rate Stabilization Analysis: The Village computes a rate increase necessary to provide financially sound and fair utility funding while being proactive toward future infrastructure needs.
When will the water system improvements take place?
Work on the Iron Filtration Facility improvements is expected to begin in spring 2026 and be completed in 2028. The improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Facility will start in summer 2026, with completion expected in early 2030.
What would happen if we didn’t make these wastewater and water improvements?
The last major improvements at the Village’s Wastewater Treatment Facility were made at the end of the 1970s. If improvements are not made at the wastewater treatment plant, there is an increased risk of sewer back-ups into homes and businesses in the event of equipment failures. If each piece of equipment or process were replaced in a standalone project, it would not be cost-effective, resulting in the final project cost being more expensive than wrapping all the work into one project scope. The Village could also face potential violations and fines from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) if pollutant limits are not met on the Village’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
The Village’s current iron filtration system was installed in 2000. The life expectancy of this equipment is 20 years. If this system is not replaced, it can result in increased iron levels in the drinking water. While iron is not harmful to human health, it is an aesthetic issue with plumbing fixtures and clothing.
These Adjustments Allow Barrington to Continue Investment in Its Future
This infrastructure funding strategy enables Barrington to continue to make critical reinvestments in its water and sewer facilities, thereby helping to protect property values and continue delivering dependable, high-quality services to the community.
Iron filtration facility improvements
Barrington’s Iron Filtration Facility was constructed in 2000 and while Village staff has done a great job maintaining the facility past its typical lifespan, it has now reached the point where replacement is necessary.
Improvements are expected to begin in fall 2026.
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Episode 1: Overview of the facility
Wastewater treatment Improvements
Barrington’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is located at 302 N. Raymond Ave. Constructed in 1936, this facility processes over two million gallons of wastewater daily. Click each episode below to learn more about the treatment process.
Improvements to this essential facility are expected to begin in fall 2026.
