MOUNT VERNON – The city’s latest round of infrastructure improvements involves repairs to its nearly 70-year-old water reservoir, a process that began on Nov. 7.

Even though the 2 million-gallon underground tank (circa 1952) requires all new valves, workers should have it wrapped up just before Thanksgiving, according to a city press release.

Once the tank is refilled, city engineer Brian Ball said, technicians would perform a lengthy chlorination process and screen for bacteria. Full functionality should be restored by Nov. 24, with no disruption to the business or residential water supply, Ball said.

The city’s water tank on Wooster Road will be kept more full than normal while the underground reservoir is drained, and the Water Department will have extra staff available at the pump stations 24 hours a day, seven days a week to keep water pressure steady in case of a fire or water main break.

Although the Mount Vernon Fire Department has already completed its hydrant flushing for the season, local industries have been asked to refrain from fire-flow testing while the reservoir is repaired.

While a citywide boil advisory at some point during this process at the reservoir cannot be ruled out, the city does not expect one to be necessary, according to the release.

Dirt Dawg Excavating is changing the valves inside the valve house at the city's underground reservoir.