SEAFORD, Del.- Workers were gearing up today preparing ladders and hoses before they begin repainting the water tower on Spruce Street in Seaford.
The water tower is one of four in the city and will be sandblasted inside and out and repainted over the next three months. .
Once it is finished, all water towers will eventually feature a new logo and design throughout Seaford.
Public Works Director Berley Mears said the repainting for this particular project will not be cheap, but could avoid potential structural and water quality problems.
"This particular project we had three bidders," he said. "The low bid was $405,700, so this is not something we can do all the time," he said.
But Mears says the city has been setting aside money over the course of the past two years, and this project will be funded locally.
"The coating lasts about 20 years or so and we got it inspected a couple years ago when they noticed some deficiencies, so it's time to get it painted. "
Public Works says the accumulation of rust can cause structural problems and water quality problems if towers like this are not repainted in a timely fashion.
But Mears says phosphates are in place in this water system currently, which prevent this from becoming a major issue.
And many people like Anita Wazlavek, who lives behind the water tower, says she supports it.
"We all want clean water to consume and bathe in you know, so it is good that they are updating it," she said.
And adding an aesthetic touch to the back of her house doesn't hurt either, she said.