What's happening with a large Springfield water tower?

Drivers on Glenstone Avenue may have noticed a change to a familiar landmark.

A metal apparatus recently was installed to the top of the City Utilities-owned water tower at the intersection of Glenstone and Monroe Terrace, just north of Grand Street. It’s one of multiple water towers operated by CU.

CU spokesman Joel Alexander said the apparatus was added to support a curtain as the tank is repainted and improvements are made. It’s a $1.3 million project for the 1.5 million-gallon water tank.

"The exterior and interior of the tank will be sandblasted and painted with a high solids epoxy coating expected to last 25 years. The tank was last painted in 1993," he said via email.

Alexander said crews also are installing a water mixing system to reduce aging and improve quality, while ladders and rails are being added as safety elements. The project is slated for completion in July.