Thursday, Jan. 8:
EPA treated 51 total vehicles on Thursday. The total number of vehicles treated to date is 204.
EPA will be ending its car treatment operations at the end of the day, Friday, Jan. 9.
Daily field pH screening and sampling at the outfall at Lake Garnett continued in the inclement weather. To date, there have been no elevated pH levels or detections of concern.
Substance Questions:
The preliminary field analysis indicates that the substance is a high pH caustic material that has been neutralized with warm, soapy water and a water/vinegar solution.
Based on the field analysis, EPA has enough information to develop response plans; treat residual material; and rule out other characteristics of the spilled material.
This substance is not:
- An acid (low pH)
- An oil or petroleum product
- A halogen, such as chlorine or fluorine
- An oxidizer, such as peroxide
- Flammable
- Volatile
- Radioactive
Positive identification, including the trade name, may require the chemical container or safety data sheet which would be in possession of the party responsible for the spill which is part of an ongoing investigation.
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 Southeast Kansas 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.
Responding 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 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 Emergency Management
- City of Garnett, Kansas
