Butler County Family's Water Supply Contaminated with Crude Oil, Receives Temporary Housing from Oil Company
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed that a Butler County family's water supply is contaminated with crude oil, with the source of contamination being a nearby working oil well. The family, who had been left without water and answers, received support from the community and temporary housing from Vess Oil Corporation. While the company claims its operations are not responsible, testing by both a private lab and KDHE has verified the contamination. The family now awaits a long-term solution, which would involve accessing rural water, but cost is currently a barrier.