Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026:
An EPA response to material spilled along impacted roadways in Garnett is ongoing. EPA is being assisted by local and state coordinating agencies to help identify the responsible party.
EPA will be establishing a no cost car treatment for individuals whose vehicles were impacted by the unknown, spilled substance.
This car treatment will be available to all impacted individuals at no cost and will operate from 10:00am to 7:00pm on Monday, Jan. 5 through Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.
Response Actions to Date:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has collected samples of the material spilled along the Garnett roadway. While the material has yet to be identified, field tests have confirmed that it is a basic, corrosive liquid with pH readings of 14. Ongoing treatment has proven effective at reducing pH levels below hazardous levels.
EPA Region 7 and the coordinating agencies encourage all individuals to avoid contact with this spilled material. Should you accidently come into contact, or believe you may have previously come into contact, please contact the SEK Multi-County Health Department at 785-448-6559 or your primary care physician.
The Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) initial actions to remove and treat the spilled material were effective at reducing impact. KDOT utilized vacuum trucks and absorbent in an initial effort to contain and control the material.
Coordinating agencies are investigating all reports and reviewing camera footage along the roadway that may identify a potentially responsible party.
Background:
On Jan. 1, 2026, at approximately 6:15pm, the National
Response Center (NRC) notified EPA Region 7 of a release of an unknown
substance onto a roadway from a commercial vehicle in Garnett, Kansas. The
release occurred around 6:00pm on Dec. 31, 2025, affecting approximately two
miles of roadway. The commercial vehicle left the scene. As of Jan. 4, 2026, a
potentially responsible party has not yet been identified.
KDOT reported the incident to the NRC and is
collaborating with Anderson County officials, the Kansas Department of Health
and Environment (KDHE), the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the City of
Garnett to coordinate response operations. The Kansas Department of Health and
Environment (KDHE) requested federal assistance from the EPA to identify the
unknown substance and provide guidance on cleanup and disposal.
EPA Region 7 deployed one On-Scene Coordinator (OSC)
and contractors to assess the situation on Jan. 2, 2026.
EPA and coordinating agencies have entered into
Unified Command to coordinate all response and cleanup operations.
Coordinating Agencies:
Agencies currently, or previously, involved in this response include:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
- Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)
- Anderson County, Kansas, Emergency Management
- City of Garnett, Kansas
