LIBERTY, MO — Trust in local government is once again under fire as Liberty residents react to a recently disclosed water treatment failure that left many questioning the safety of their drinking water—and the transparency of city leadership.
A letter mailed to water customers earlier this month revealed that the Liberty Utilities Department failed to maintain minimum disinfectant levels over a three-day period from February 23–25, 2025. While city officials, including Utilities Director Andy Knoll, insist the issue did not reach a level requiring a boil order, the incident has stirred frustration and concern—especially given the delay in notifying the public.
“The fact that we’re just now hearing about this months later is unacceptable,” said one resident. “If this had been worse, we would’ve been drinking unsafe water and never known it.”
The notice admits the disinfection failure occurred during the transition from treated water storage to the distribution system. While it stops short of declaring a health emergency, the letter acknowledges that vulnerable populations—particularly the elderly, infants, and immunocompromised individuals—may have been at greater risk. Local seniors have been especially vocal, worried about the potential health implications and the lack of timely information.
The letter, curiously unsigned by Knoll himself, explains that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) was notified as required. However, many found the city’s language vague and dismissive. “The employee responsible ‘was talked to’—is that supposed to reassure us?” one resident asked.
Others criticized the city’s lack of a clear action plan to prevent future violations. “We’re told everything is fine now, but where’s the accountability? Where’s the fix?”
Knoll is said to be returning phone calls and personally addressing concerns, which some residents appreciate. Still, the damage to public trust may already be done. As one person put it, “The system failed, the public was kept in the dark for too long, and we’re supposed to just carry on like nothing happened?”
With no boil order issued, the city maintains that the health risk was minimal. But in a climate of growing skepticism about government oversight, residents say that isn’t enough. Many are now calling for an independent review of the incident and a public forum to discuss what went wrong—and how to prevent it from happening again.
Meanwhile, just as this water quality issue came to light, a utility rate increase also took effect. The city says the higher rates will help cover increased operational costs, wages, and new products, but frustrated residents are asking what, exactly, they’re getting for their money. “You can’t tell us the system failed and then in the same breath raise our bills,” said one commenter on social media. “That’s not how customer service works.”
While Andy Knoll is reportedly returning phone calls and addressing concerns, some believe his letter “should not have been sent out” in its current form—too impersonal, unsigned, and lacking clear assurances about corrective actions.
Calls for accountability and transparency continue to mount. As one local resident put it bluntly: “We’re being asked to pay more for a system that just failed. And the best explanation we’ve gotten is a form letter and a promise that it’s all fine. That’s not enough.”
City officials have yet to schedule a public forum or meeting specifically to address the issue, though growing pressure may soon force one.
For now, Liberty residents are left with more questions than answers. And when it comes to something as basic as safe drinking water, that’s a hard pill to swallow.
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