Mayor’s Message March 27, 2026

Dear Residents,

REAL-WORLD IMPACT: This week, the Village experienced a significant blockage in its primary force main, which conveys wastewater to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) for treatment. This blockage required around-the-clock hauling of wastewater from the Village lift station to Streamwood Public Works while the system was out of service.

Sewer crews and operational staff worked through the night to locate the blockage and restore normal operation after 36 hours, at significant expense to the Village. Investigations confirmed that flushable wipes contributed to the blockage.

As flushable wipe usage continues to grow, so do the costly repairs and service interruptions associated with them. Only flush toilet paper. Dispose of wipes and other non‑flushable products in the trash. When in doubt, throw it out.

Misleading Advertising

Some products marketed as “flushable” are technically flushable in the sense that they can pass through a toilet. However, this marketing does not tell the full story. These wipes do not break down in the sanitary sewer system like standard toilet paper.

As a result, these products contribute to:

• Clogs in interior plumbing
• Blockages in service lines and sewer mains
• Damage to pump stations and force mains as wastewater is conveyed for treatment

In addition, private commercial and residential septic systems are not designed to manage or treat these products. Even when labeled “sewer and septic safe,” the Village strongly urges residents not to flush these items to avoid costly repairs and service disruptions.

Image source: EPA

Keeping South Barrington Sewers Flowing

Proper disposal of household items is essential to keeping the Village’s sanitary sewer system, as well as private residential and commercial septic systems, running smoothly. Several common products, including baby wipes, “flushable” wipes, paper towels, and feminine hygiene products, do not break down like toilet paper and should never be flushed down the toilet.

When flushed, they can clog pipes, damage equipment, and cause sewer backups in both private systems and the Village’s system.

Source: casaweb.org

Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and to the team who worked tirelessly around the clock to restore and resolve this significant issue. I encourage residents to share this message with friends and neighbors so we can all do our part to help prevent these costly problems in the future.
OPERATION OWL

The South Barrington Police Department can add owl rescue to the many tasks they perform to help our community.

Thanks to their quick response and careful handling, the officers were able to safely free the owl. After being released, the owl showed no signs of any injury, just the soccer net took the hit. The owl flew away without issue, bringing a positive ending to Operation Owl.

We thank Officer Pagliuco and Officer Slusarczyk for their continued commitment to protecting and serving our community and even our wildlife!

BARRINGTON ROAD WIDENING PROJECT UPDATE

As I have reported in previous emails, the upcoming Barrington Road Widening Project will soon get underway. The first step is tree removal, which will begin along Barrington Road between Algonquin Road (IL 62) and Central Road within the next couple of weeks.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is overseeing this work, and we want to make sure residents are informed in a timely fashion about what to expect. We appreciate your patience as this important infrastructure improvement project gets underway.

For questions or additional information, please contact Ryan Murphy at rmurphy@southbarrington.org .

SUPPORTING A GREAT CAUSE: CONES4KIDS

As part of Children Advocacy Center’s Child Abuse Prevention Month campaign, #Cones4Kids, students at Rose Elementary School in South Barrington took part in a coloring contest to design the event flier.

Rose Student Ambassadors, alongside CAC staff, selected the winning design to help promote this important awareness event.
If you would like to help raise money and awareness, you can support the cause Friday, April 3rd at Smallcakes Cupcakes & Creamery at the Arboretum! When you stop by, 15% of your purchase will support CAC’s work with young survivors of violence in our communities.

Enjoy a sweet treat while making a difference, we hope to see you there! Check out the winning flier below and see you on Friday at Smallcakes Cupcakes & Creamery at the Arboretum!

APRIL IS NATIONAL SAFE DIGGING MONTH

April marks the start of a busy digging season, making it a good time to remind everyone to always contact JULIE before beginning any project. Taking this simple, free step helps protect underground utilities and keeps residents, workers, and our community safe.

To support awareness efforts, user-friendly resources are available throughout April to help everyone better understand the importance of utilizing JULIE before you dig. We encourage you to share this information with neighbors ensuring utility lines are properly located and marked at no cost before any digging begins.

Link to educational materials HERE

As always, I am here to listen to your thoughts and concerns. Feel free to email me at pmccombie@southbarrington.org, or use the anonymous comment boxes located in the lobbies of Village Hall and the Police Department. I review these messages privately and value your input.

Have an enjoyable weekend!

Paula McCombie
Mayor