Crews from Professional Application Services, Inc. of Baton Rouge will begin the task of repainting the interior and exterior of the city’s elevated water tank on Fourth Street.

The $124,085 contract will be funded by a $92,000 grant approved by the

2009 State Legislature and approximately $32,000 in local funds.

The maintenance work should last approximately 45 days, according to Mike Judice, superintendent of the water & waste department, during which time residents are urged to conserve water.

Judice explained during the repainting work, the water department will maintain normal water pressure in the system using its service pumps. The only exceptions would be in the event of an electrical outage or mechanical failure at the water treatment plant.

Judice asked Rayne water customers to conserve water until the maintenance work is completed.

The city will inform water customers when the elevated water tank resumes normal operations.