Site Response Unit
The Site Response Unit conducts assessments at sites with actual or potential releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants that may impact human health and the environment in the State of Kansas.
Site Assessment Program
Sites are identified through a variety of mechanisms, including spill reporting; citizen complaints; referrals from local and county health, law enforcement, or environmental agencies; other State agencies; Federal agencies; or by industries.
Once a site is identified, it is assessed using funding obtained through a grant agreement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
A new site is entered into the Identified Sites List database and prioritized for a site assessment. Site assessment activities include a review of historical site activities, regulatory and operational history, and land use. If the site conditions warrant, the Site Response Unit may sample environmental media including soil, groundwater, surface water, or sediment, and any wastes that may be present. The Site Assessment Program uses a variety of intrusive and non-intrusive technologies including direct-push technology, geophysical tools, mobile analytical methods such as X-ray fluorescence and gas chromatography, and auger drilling.
When a site assessment is completed, the results are compared to existing risk-based standards, and the site is either resolved, referred for further future site assessment, considered for a KDHE remediation program, or referred for Federal response actions.
Kansas Spill Response Program
Unpermitted discharges or accidental spills and releases that may be detrimental to soil or water within the State of Kansas must be reported to the Spill Response Program. The Spill Response Program's primary objective is to ensure that containment and immediate environmental remedial measures associated with the discharge or spill are implemented. The Site Response Unit administers the KDHE Spill Reporting Hotline which is monitored 24/7 by the staff. Staff track the progress of all spill response activities and assure that impacted soil and water is cleaned up to appropriate standards or referred to a remedial program. Spills are tracked on a database maintained by the Site Response Unit.
Mercury Information
The Kansas Spill Response Program also provides technical guidance assistance for mercury-related spill projects and direct response to mercury spills at publically owned buildings and properties.
Kansas Clandestine Drug Lab Information
The Site Response Unit can provide technical advice regarding meth lab waste disposal and clean-up guidance to local authorities, property owners, and contractors who are cleaning up former meth labs in Kansas. The program's goals are to help prevent the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs from contaminating the soils or waters of the state.
Field Support
The Site Response Unit also provides field support for other programs in the Bureau of Environmental Remediation. The site assessment staff have been trained in using a variety of field equipment, portable analytical technology, and other tools for field activities.
Site Referrals
The Site Response Unit reviews site referrals for the KDHE Bureau of Environmental Remediation to determine whether identified contamination is related to an existing site or should be added to a list of sites needing further evaluation. The BER Site Referral Form (PDF) is an online Adobe fillable form that is used to provide information on known and potential contamination.
- The BER Site Referral Form cannot be submitted if opened in a web browser. To submit a site referral:
- Click the link above to open the form in your browser, or right-click on the link and select "Save Link As...".
- Save the.pdf file to your computer.
- Double-click on the saved.pdf file to open it in Adobe.
- Fill in and save the form.
- Click "Submit" on the form's final page.