Last month, the City of Kewaunee's water tower was subjected to a routine inspection by the Department of Natural Resources. The examination happens on a five-year cycle, with every other one involving a complete drawdown of the tank. That's a particularly stressful event for the Public Works Department. They have to carefully adjust how much water is being pulled from the well to match residents' and businesses' usage. If demand outstrips the amount of water available, the system loses pressure. If too much is pumped into the system, then it risks bursting pipes or hydrants. Director Brandon Strelow says the city was helped out by an independent contractor who lent equipment to monitor pressure and director the pumps on how much water to provide. 

Strelow says the water tower's next big project will be getting a fresh coat of paint.

In other preventative work, the City of Kewaunee is wrapping up hydrant flushing this month before winter cold settles in. Strelow says that pipes that service shuttered businesses, or empty or seasonal homes end up with stagnant water due to disuse. Sediment settles when water is not flowing. Residents will notice some discoloration during the hydrant flushing.