The Eastglen Water Tower net, which has been failing since the early fall, is in the process of being replaced.

Westlock town council approved $20,000 for the netting replacement at its Nov. 14 meeting.

The money, which will come out of the town’s water reserve fund, covers the supplies, installation and engineering fees.

Chief administrative officer Dean Krause said he had to move ahead with the project before council could officially approve the expense due to the hazardous nature of the situation.

The netting, which was installed to protect concrete from flaking off the tower and onto nearby homes, has been deteriorating since the end of September.

“(Due to) the high winds we received during the week of Oct. 16 and inclement weather, I went through the emergency purchasing policy and I enacted the emergency expenditure clause … and I instructed (staff) to proceed with that contract,” Krause said.

Unique Scaffolding was awarded the contract and was set to begin Oct. 18, but had encountered two delays. Work was scheduled to go ahead last week.

The new netting will have a lifespan of about two years.

Krause said the town received three quotes and the project was awarded to the lowest bidder.

He noted that the company which had previously installed the netting did not want to submit a quote this time around.