RICHMOND – The city “failed to act” – in terms of results, though the city took steps – after receiving a warning letter regarding the need to hire a public drinking water system distribution technician. The situation is not an emergency or a danger, Richmond Public Works Director Dale Shipp said Monday. “As far at the water quality, we’ve got licensed treatment plant operators,” Shipp said. What is needed is a person certified to oversee water distribution, he said. Richmond must have a “B2 level or higher” water system operator, but does not, leaving the city in violation of a Missouri Safe Drinking Water Regulation, based on information from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, or DNR. Richmond has acted in good faith to meet the requirement, Shipp said. “We’ve had the job posting out since August,” he said. “It’s just trying to get an employee hired. Right now, we just can’t get anybody hired. We’re not getting any applications in.” The situation is familiar to businesses…