Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the Village of Philmont's $500,000 water tower restoration project began April 17, along with mandatory water restrictions. Nonessential water use will not be permitted during the work, so watering lawns and plants, washing cars, and pool-filling is not allowed, while cooking, bathing, and general hygienic-related uses of water are allowed. Village Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Christine Speed said, "Divers need to go in and assess the situation, then the tower needs to be drained so the work can be done, and then painted. To do the actual work, they have to set up a system to do the test to ensure that there will be a safe and consistent supply of water during the refinishing of the inside of the tank.” Officials say the work will take months. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.