Water samples taken from Fall River at Neodesha indicate high levels of chemicals from runoff resulting the firefighting efforts at the Airosol Company, Inc., plant due to an explosion and fire that occurred Nov. 22.

Additional samples will be taken daily and analyzed. Kansas Department of Health and Environment laboratories are working 24/7 in an effort to turn around test results as quickly as possible. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management will continue to coordinate response efforts.
Water suppliers in the area have stopped intake of water from local water sources. The state’s main priority is providing water to residents, health care facilities and businesses in Montgomery and Wilson Counties along portions of the Fall River and Verdigris River, which includes the cities of
Coffeyville, Independence and Neodesha and smaller rural communities; Cherryvale and Caney are not affected.

“Our thoughts are with those affected by Tuesday’s explosion,” said Gov. Sam Brownback. “We are thankful there was no loss of life and are grateful to all first responders, community volunteers, and local officials. The state will continue to offer full support and resources.”
Kansas has procured a three-day supply of bottled water through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will be provided to residents of the Coffeyville and Independence areas. The Kansas National Guard has two water filtration systems deploying from the 190th Air Refueling Wing in Topeka Nov. 24 to a water source in the affected area. Each system is capable of purifying 1,500 gallons of water per hour and temporarily storing it on-site. Once purified and approved for consumption, the water will be transported via tanker trucks to distribution points that will be determined.
KDEM is also working with Walmart, Sam’s Club, the American Red Cross, United Way, Harvesters, United Methodist Committee on Relief and other private companies and organizations to coordinate additional donated water supplies.

KDEM has two regional coordinators on site to assist local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency has taken water samples and sent them to Lenexa to analyze for possible contamination. Officials from KDHE, KDEM and the Kansas Water Office are considering methods to mitigate possible contamination as quickly and safely as possible.

The State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka has been partially activated and will be staffed until further notice.
Kansans wishing to donate to disaster relief efforts are encouraged to call the United Way help line at 2-1-1.