The Village of Barrington IL provides water and sewer for 10,300 residents and businesses. The city also provides water for portions of Inverness and Barrington Hills.
Over 1.5 million gallons of water is pumped each day from 4 water wells. These wells draw from a deep underground aquifer. The raw well water is processed at a Village-owned water treatment plant. This plant is designed to reduce Iron to help control “Rust Stains”.
Once treated, the Barrington uses 6 reservoirs and tanks to store water before delivering it through over 90 miles of service lines.
Barrington IL Water Hardness
Barrington water hardness is 23gpg, and is rated as extremely high by the USGS.
A reliable, professional-grade water softener like our E3 Water Softener is highly recommended. A softener will protect your home’s plumbing, appliances, and water heater.
Barrington IL Water Quality Reports
The wells that supply Barrington with water can change from year-to-year. We have gathered the following reports to so you can see “what’s in your water”:
2011 Barrington Annual Water Quality Report
2011 Barrington Annual Water Quality Report
2009 Barrington Annual Water Quality Report
The contaminants in these reports have been listed by category below. All contaminants are within Legal Limits. Water contaminants that exceed the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG), aka Health Limit, have been highlighted below:
Inorganic Contaminants in Barrington Drinking Water
Inorganics include salts and metals like hard water and iron. Inorganic contaminants are mostly consumed through drinking water, and do not pass easily through skin. A Reverse Osmosis System is very effective at removing inorganic contaminants.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 1.0 | 0ppb | 10 | Skin damage or problems with circulatory systems, and may have increased risk of getting cancer |
| Barium | 0.053 – 0.081 | 2ppm | 2 | Increase in blood pressure |
| Hardness | 23 | NA gpg | NA | Increased energy consumption, damage to plumbing, appliances, fixtures, clothing |
| Iron | .02 – 0.56 | NA ppm | 0.3 | Increased energy consumption, damage to plumbing, appliances, fixtures, clothing |
| Manganese | 5.5 – 13 | 50ppb | 50 | Black staining, decreased IQ in children |
| Nitrate | 0.083 | 10ppm | 10 | Shortness of breath, “blue baby syndrome” |
| Selenium | 0.29 – 1.15 | 50ppb | 50 | Hypertension |
Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts in Barrington IL Drinking Water
Disinfectants are added by the city to kill bacteria. A new class of compounds are formed when disinfectants like chlorine react with other water contaminants. Many of these enter the body through inhalation, absorption through skin, and through drinking water. The DMT Hybrid System or a Whole House Carbon Filter would offer a good layer of protection for your home and family.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | 2.27 – 3.5 | 4.0ppm | 4 | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 3.5 | 0ppb | 80 | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer |
Radionucliides in Barrington IL Drinking Water
Radionucliides can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. These can be inhaled, or consumed through drinking water.
| Contaminant | Levels Found | Health Limit | Legal Limit | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Emitters | 1.3 – 4.5 | 0pCi/L | 15 | Increased risk of cancer |
| Combined Radium | 0.82 – 0.83 | 0pCi/L | 5 | Increased risk of cancer |
This information was compiled from City Water Quality Reports, the EPA, Illinois Department of Health, and the Environmental Working Group. Please contact us if any contaminants are missing, or levels that differ from those outlined on this page.