Two years ago, an Illinois town opened the bidding to have the community’s water tower recoated, both interior and exterior. At the time, the local painters union advised the town council against selecting the low bidder ($568,000), who was an out-of-state company. But the council voted 4-1 to give the job to a Michigan-based painting contractor.

“The union questioned how the company could offer such a low price when it needed to pay for hotel rooms,” according to a local report. “It said La Grange should go with an Illinois company.” The 30-year-old water tank was last painted in 2004.

Fast-forward to 2023, and an engineer’s inspection of the water tower revealed some paint failure that could jeopardize water quality in the future, if not corrected.

“As time passes, the severity of the paint failure will only get worse as well as the integrity of the drinking water,” said Alfredo Barraza, the painter union’s director of organizing. “Paint helps against corrosion. This is no longer the case in the tank.”

Barraza recommended that the board to enact a “responsible bidder” ordinance, which he said would ensure contractors have the necessary qualifications.

The town’s public works director said he appreciated the union’s input. “This is something very much on the radar for the staff at public works,” he said. Reportedly the paint job remains under warranty, and the contractor plans to remedy the situation without additional cost to the town.

Bottom line, it appears the work will be corrected without tumult or trouble. But the painters union insists the situation could have and should have been avoided if the town council demonstrated better judgement two years ago.