Work to put a new coat of paint on the interior and exterior of the water tower off of Frontage Road in Picayune is underway.

Public Works Director Eric Morris said the crews conducting the work have begun prep work before they strip the existing paint off the inside and outside of the water tower. After that, they will put on a new coat of paint. Coating the inside of the water tower gives the interior a sanitary coating to store water while also ensuring the metal does not rust. Morris said that chlorinated water, like that provided by the city, increases the likelihood of rust forming inside the well.

When this project is complete, Morris estimates that none of the four water towers in the city will need another coat of paint for 10 to 12 years.

Equipment used to support the enclosure that will prevent debris from the sandblasting and painting has already been installed on the tower. Morris said the city paid for a 100 percent containment area around the tower while the work takes place.

While the work takes place, customers of the city’s water service should not see service interruptions since that tower primarily acts as a reserve.

The work is expected to take about a month, weather permitting.