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The River Forest water tower will receive a fresh coat of paint following action by the village board Aug. 26.

The village board voted unanimously to award a contract to Seven Brothers Painting Inc. of Michigan to pressure wash and paint the interior and exterior of the water tower behind the Public Works Garage at 45 Forest Ave. and perform other maintenance for $284,200.

Seven Brothers’ bid was the lowest of three received, all of which were higher than the $227,000 estimate of Dixon Engineering Inc., the village’s engineer. Other bids were $375,000 from LC United Painting Co. Inc. and $397,000 from Era-Valdivia Contractors Inc. 

“While this is over budget by $57,200, all of the items being addressed by this tank rehabilitation are recommended to be done at this time due to the overall condition of the tank since the last interior and exterior coating was applied nearly 20 years ago,” said John Anderson, public works director, in a memo to Village Administrator Eric Palm. He also noted that there are “sufficient reserves” in the water/sewer fund to cover the budget overage. 

Anderson said he anticipates a “minimal impact” on residents when work begins later this month and continues for 30 to 45 days, depending on the weather. 

The project also includes high-pressure cleaning of platform areas, seam sealing the roof lap joints with urethane caulk, coating the foundation to prevent deterioration, installing a handrail and a painter’s rigging rail on the roof, installation of an interior ladder with a fall-prevention device and removal of the glandular expansion joint to be replaced with a bellows type joint. 

Dixon Engineering Inc. will provide engineering and inspection services for the project. Part of their work included the design and preparation of technical specifications, preparation and review of bid documents.

The 500,000-gallon water tower, which unlike many such structures is painted plain white and has no lettering or designs on it, will be painted to match the existing color.  It was last painted in August 2000.  

In recommending Seven Brothers, Dixon Engineering Inc. officials identified the firm as a prequalified painting contractor for this scope of work. Seven Brothers has “successfully completed many similar projects,” including exterior and interior work on a similar-size water tower in Bartlett last year, they added. 

The project was recommended by Dixon Engineering following an inspection in August 2018. Village officials said such an inspection is performed every five years.

Painting will cost $221,800 and other maintenance issues will cost $62,400.