Expect to see crews around the Estevan water tower for the next few months, as a $1.4-million rehabilitation project begins Tuesday.

Equipment was on-site Tuesday morning, with workers getting preparations underway in the frigid weather.

The tower, constructed in 1956, is one of three water-containing facilities within the city. Residents should not have to worry about the work impacting their water, though the area will be noisy at times.

Metalwork will include the replacement of some access hatches, piping, and walkways. 

City of Estevan Water and Wastewater Services Manager Shane Bucsis said trailer and equipment are currently being set up, which will be followed by scaffolding. Scaffolders will then cut a hole in the water tower for easier access.

Bucsis said crews will likely be working until May, depending on the weather. 

Strong winds could be dangerous, and extreme cold could prevent some equipment from running.

You can expect the area to be noisier for the first part of the project.

"The sandblasting, at the start it should be louder," said Bucsis. "And then it should die off. It all depends on if they need the generator running for a welder or for the sandblasting or whatever work they're doing."

The project has been in the works for a while. Bucsis submitted a report to council outlining work needing to be done on the tower at the end of 2020.

He said any time there's a leak, it takes about a week of work to fix. That includes hauling a welder up there, epoxy coating it, and draining the tower. The frequency of leaks happening was sporadic. Some years would have none, and others would have a couple.

"When this is all done, it gets rid of that headache and you can just go forward with using it regularly."

Bucsis apologized for any disturbances in the area. Work is expected to take place during normal working hours.

The exterior will be repainted following the metalwork, with quotation marks around the city's name remaining. And LED lights will be installed around the base.

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