WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Kansas lawmakers presented a $2.5 million check to the Kansas Department of Health and Environmental (KDHE) for groundwater testing in a north Wichita neighborhood near 29th and Grove. But there are hurdles to clear before testing can happen.
About 50 years ago, a chemical spill from a Union Pacific rail yard ultimately led to health concerns for people in the 29th and Grove area. The exposure led to a higher risk of cancer and a low birth rate.
But there are some issues to work through with city and county leaders before state funds can be used for testing.
Before state funds can be released, the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County must release their portion of funding for testing.
“The first $1 million requires a $1 million match from the local municipalities, that being the county and or the city. They have not met that requirement as of yet,” said Kansas Representative Ford Carr, of Wichita.
However, funding for spill testing is not in the 2025 city or county budget.
Now, the president of the Northeast Neighborhood Association is calling on the city and county leaders to act fast.
“We must have that matching million from either the city, the county or a combination of the two. But they need to do their part,” said Aujanae Bennett, President of the Northeast Miller Neighborhood Association.
The City of Wichita and Sedgwick County each released statements concerning the need for groundwater testing and their roles to make that happen.
City of Wichita:
“We are currently in discussions about this. In the interim, we are glad that the state is supporting efforts to test groundwater in this neighborhood. We have been glad to help bring this issue to light to ensure that this area receives proper remediation and testing efforts and look forward to continuing to work alongside the state and County health departments in our shared goal of keeping Kansas residents safe.”
Sedgwick County:
“Sedgwick County is continually working in partnership with KDHE, Union Pacific, the Kansas Health Foundation, the City of Wichita, the Governor’s Office and our local Federal Qualified Health Clinics (FQHCs) regarding the contamination at 29th and Grove. The Governor and State Legislature approved funding this year, and the details regarding local support are still in discussion.”
To continue testing in the community, a few local healthcare clinics are stepping up to offer testing to those who need it.
“GraceMed, Hunter Health, and Health Core. All three have decided to step up and they are going to provide the test free of charge and they’ll just reimbursed at a later date,” said Rep. Carr.
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