It’s out of the ground now.

Workers with Preload, Inc., poured 184-200 yards of concrete into what will be the base of the two-million-gallon Ironton municipal water tank on Nixon Hill Thursday morning.

City Water Superintendent Mark White said weather permitting, the tank could be ready for use by December, but a spring 2009 date is more likely. Cool, dry weather has smoothed the project path, White said.

“If it stays like this (dry) and it isn’t too cold, there is a possibility it may be online by in December,” White said. “But we’re not holding our breath. But we’re looking at spring for sure.”

Replacement of the city’s aging underground concrete water tank began more than a year ago with site preparation. The old tank has been losing water for years because of a crack in the floor. The cost of the new water tank is $1.58 million.