KDHE issues regional advisory after flooding triggers sewage bypasses in South Central, Southeast Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a regional public health advisory warning residents in South Central and Southeast Kansas to stay out of flooded waterways due to the possibility of sewage contamination.

The advisory, shared Thursday by the Sumner County Health Department, covers South Central Kansas — primarily west and south of Wichita — and Southeast Kansas, in counties along the Oklahoma border.

According to KDHE, a number of wastewater treatment plants in the region have experienced bypasses, in which untreated sewage is released or diverted around treatment facilities. The agency said the bypasses were caused by heavy stormwater intake, obstructions or other system failures tied to ongoing flooding.

KDHE is urging residents to refrain from swimming, wading or fishing in impacted waters and to keep pets and other animals away from affected waterways until the water recedes.

Counties with likely impacted rivers and streams include Pratt, Reno, Kingman, Sedgwick, Sumner, Cowley, Elk, Chautauqua, Montgomery, Labette and Cherokee, the advisory states.

KDHE said it will rescind the regional advisory once floodwaters in the region drop below flood stage and the wastewater bypasses are under control.

The advisory follows days of heavy rain and flash flooding across south-central Kansas. The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued multiple flood warnings for area rivers and streams this week, and Sedgwick County officials reported more than 100 calls Thursday night for vehicles stranded in floodwaters.

Questions about the advisory can be directed to Jill Bronaugh.

Source: Sumner County Health Department, Facebook, June 26, 2026 — https://www.facebook.com/SumnerCoHealth/posts/pfbid0tDsR1DjVv8VsuBDgv57c2nceXN9oWPSDboqxMQSkXjxVZfEgmhBZFYMqZzuV6JNfl