WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The water well test results are in. After a long, seven-day wait for a Butler County family, FactFinder learned Wednesday afternoon that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment confirmed that the lone water source to the family’s home is contaminated with crude oil. KDHE also confirmed the contamination source is from a working oil well near the home.
12 News reporter Branden Stitt gathered details from the health department findings after working with the impacted family and bringing their struggle to light. A week ago, Jenna Krob and her family were literally left high and dry with no water and no answers. Krob needed help getting to the bottom of why the water to her home was filled with oil.
A day after the family’s story aired, they received overwhelming support from the community and a response from KDHE, the Kansas Corporation Commission and Vess Oil Corporation. This week, the company stepped in even more, providing the family with temporary housing until the situation is resolved.
While providing the assistance, Vess Oil said its operations are not the source of the problem it says appears to be pre-existing.
Krob had her water tested at a private lab. KDHE then did testing, verifying results.
“The KDHE also verified the report from the lab that the oil came from the same release source or most likely came from the same release source as what’s in my well, compared to what is being drawn up from the oil pumps in the surrounding area,” Krob explained.
The lab report still did not confirm who is responsible for the contamination, but the test result is another step closer.
The concern for now is trying to solidify a long-term solution, which would be rural water. The cost is holding up that process, meaning Krob and her family will have to wait on their return to “normal.”
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Test confirms Butler County family’s lone water supply contaminated with crude oil – KWCH
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