City of Everton Residents Express Concerns About City Water

May 06, 2026

by Krista Guy

On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, residents within the City of Everton took to Facebook to express their concerns about the smell and taste of the city’s water. Many stated it smelled highly of chlorine and tasted horrible. Calls to the Mayor and an Alderman on Monday evening from a resident trying to report the issues went unanswered and were not returned. The City does not list a number, including an emergency number, for residents to report issues after hours.

On Wednesday morning, May 6th, 2026, the City Clerk and an Alderman were made aware of the issue and immediately began working to resolve it, contacting the city’s Wastewater Operator.

The City’s Licensed Wastewater Operator Joe Thompson released this statement via Facebook.

The City of Everton does not use chlorine in its water system. The water tower was just recently sandblasted and re-coated inside and out. I personally inspected it as well as DNR. I can say with 100% confidence that the city water is fine. All the water samples results are posted in city hall and I collected and dropped off another water test last night.

If you are in any way worried about your water quality please give me a call and I would be happy to schedule a time to come by and sample your water and get it sent into the lab. I’m here to help. Water quality and community safety is my number one job.

Joe Thompson, Water/Wastewater Operator.
417-655-3855.
Thank you all, and God bless.

I spoke with Joe Thompson this morning regarding the complaints and asked whether they had any information to provide to the City's residents to ease their concerns.

Mr. Thompson stated that he had already been to multiple residences in the city and tested their water for chlorine. Two locations tested positive for chlorine at 0.04 ppm and 0.05 ppm. These levels are well below the EPA's maximum allowable residual disinfectant levels. Chlorine isn’t something the city usually tests for, as they don't chlorinate their system.

Mr. Thompson stated the water tower was recently sandblasted on the inside. Following that process, the tower was disinfected with chlorine, filled, and flushed multiple times to wash it out. He believes the chlorine being detected in the system, which people can smell and taste, is the residual chlorine that has settled in the dead ends of the water system since the tower came back online last week.

Mr. Thompson will be performing further flushing of the system today to remove residual chlorine. He will continue to visit each residence that calls to report issues and to test the location's water. He has also ordered additional tests to ensure the system is within guidelines. These results can take up to two weeks to get back.

When I inquired about an after-hours or emergency number for residents to contact, Mr. Thompson said to call him at the number provided. His top priority is ensuring the City of Everton has safe water.

I also spoke with Dr. Will Darter, Superintendent at the Everton R-III School District, regarding the water concerns. Dr. Darter stated that Mr. Thompson has been in contact with him regarding the water. Out of an abundance of caution, the District is providing bottled drinking water for all the students and staff, and the safety of the kids is their top priority.

If you still have concerns about the water, you may reach out to City Hall at 417-535-4000 during business hours, or to their Wastewater Operator, Joe Thompson, at 417-655-3856.