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The new water tower and line in south Smithville are officially up and running.

Earlier this fall, the new tower and line started bringing more water to homes in the south part of town.

At first, city officials said they received complaints from residents in the Forest Oaks subdivision, saying the water pressure was still low.

However, city staff now thinks those issues have been resolved.

The new tower, off U.S. Highway 169, and line give the subdivision access to two water lines instead of one line.

“This summer is when we’ll really find out how good the water pressure is. Because that’s when some of those people will have two sprinklers going — one in the front yard, one in the backyard,” Bob Lemley, the city’s water superintendent, said. “In the past, having two sprinklers going at once didn’t go so well.”

On Monday, Nov. 2, the new tower and line should start serving the about 70 Clay County water customers in south Smithville who are switching to Smithville water due to the new tower.

In other city of Smithville news:

• The city now has an incentive for home builders. The change allows builders to delay payment for the city’s impact fees — typically more than $5,000 — from prior to building to the closing of a home. The board discussed the change earlier this month and officially approved it Oct. 20.

• The Smithville Football Club plans to shoot fireworks during the Smithville High School football game Thursday, Oct. 29, as part of the annual senior night festivities. The fireworks, which the Smithville Board of Aldermen approved during its Oct. 20 meeting, are scheduled during the National Anthem and following Smithville touchdowns. Fireworks will be discharged from the baseball fields.

• The city’s residential water and sewer bills will see a 5 percent rate increase in December. During the Oct. 20 meeting, the aldermen approved the increase. The board also approved a $2.1 million annual water fund budget. Board members had discussed the rate increase and budget during past meetings.

• Grass and weed height on residential property where there’s a house is now restricted to 7 inches. After discussing the issue for months, the aldermen approved the change, which is included in a new nuisance ordinance, during the Oct. 20 meeting.

Smithville Editor Nancy Hull Rigdon can be reached at 532-4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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