Water Treatment Plant Update

The City of Smithville is currently making improvements at the Water Treatment Plant. The improvements include replacement of the carbon and lime feeders (complete), replacement of valves and actuators within the filter pipe gallery (complete), repainting the piping gallery (complete), repair/replacement of the underdrain system in filter #3, and the replacement of all filter media.

Filters #1 and #2 were constructed with the original plant in the 1970’s.

When the filter media in Filter #1 was removed, the underdrain piping was identified to be an asbestos cement pipe.

The pipe appears to be in good condition, however due to the material the City will be replacing the entire underdrain system of both filters with stainless steel headers and PVC laterals.

Samples of the filtered water and filter media were obtained and sent to Pace Laboratory to test for asbestos. All sample results are “non-detect”.

Staff will be conducting weekly sampling to ensure water samples continue to have a non-detect result until both filter underdrain systems are replaced.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been contacted and informed of the City’s plan to replace the piping.