Sewage Spill Contaminates Arkansas River Near Pueblo
State and local health officials issue advisories after 4.25 million gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Arkansas River near Pueblo, Colorado.
PUEBLO, CO – A multi-million-gallon sewage spill that entered the Arkansas River last week is moving downstream and is expected to impact a southeastern Colorado reservoir beginning Aug. 31, prompting state officials to issue a water contact advisory for the recreation area.
About 4.2 million gallons of untreated sewage entered the Arkansas River near Pueblo, Colorado, between Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 after a defective wastewater pipe failed, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said the contamination is expected to reach John Martin Reservoir State Park in Bent County starting on Aug. 31.
The advisory follows testing conducted on Aug. 28 by the Pueblo County Public Health Laboratory that found high levels of E. coli downstream of the spill site. The CDPHE has advised people to avoid contact with the Arkansas River below Pueblo, a city over 100 miles south of Denver, until further notice.
John Martin Reservoir State Park will remain open, but activities involving direct contact with water are discouraged, according to CPW. Visitors are being told to avoid swimming, wading, tubing, paddleboarding, fishing and similar activities, and to keep pets out of affected waters.
CPW said it is working with state health officials to monitor water conditions as the contamination moves downstream. The health department plans to collect water-quality samples at the reservoir and continue testing along the river in the coming days.
“While we cannot fix what is coming downstream, we have an opportunity to prepare and communicate with our visitors before it arrives,” John Martin Reservoir State Park Manager Dan Kirmer said in a statement.
Defective pipe caused raw sewage spill
The “unplanned discharge” resulted from a wastewater pipe located inside a stormwater pipe, according to the city of Pueblo.
City officials said a hole had been cut into the top of the wastewater pipe “many years ago,” which “was then patched with concrete.” Over time, the patch failed – allowing untreated wastewater to escape into the stormwater system and ultimately flow into the Arkansas River.
The spill began on Aug. 26 and was contained by the morning of Aug. 27 after local and state officials were notified of the issue. City officials said the discharge was halted by about 11:45 a.m. local time.
State health officials estimate that about 4.25 million gallons of raw sewage entered the river during the incident.
Advisory stretches to John Martin Reservoir State Park
The public health advisory applies to the Arkansas River from Fountain Creek through John Martin Reservoir, including communities near Blende, Avondale, Fowler, Manzanola, Rocky Ford, La Junta and Las Animas, according to CDPHE.
While testing upstream of the spill showed low bacterial levels, samples collected downstream found extremely high concentrations of E. coli, the health department said. Officials said they do not yet know how long the advisory will remain in effect and will continue sampling until bacterial levels return to acceptable standards.
Warning signs will be posted throughout John Martin Reservoir State Park and the advisory will be updated as new sampling results become available, according to CPW.
The health department said it has not seen evidence that the spill has impacted public drinking water systems, which have several barriers in place to protect against contamination and were notified of the spill in time to take necessary precautions.
Colorado officials advise public to avoid contact with contaminated water
All contact with the river downstream of the discharge should be avoided until public health officials lift the advisory. CDPHE advises residents to:
- Stay out of the Arkansas River downstream of the discharge location.
- Do not swim, wade, tube, kayak or participate in other activities involving contact with river water.
- Keep children and pets away from the river.
- Do not allow pets or livestock to drink river water.
- Do not drink untreated river water or use it to prepare food.
- Avoid fishing in the affected area.
- Do not use untreated river water on fruits or vegetables that will be eaten raw.
CDPHE warns that contaminated water may contain bacteria, viruses or parasites that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever and other illnesses.
The health department urged anyone who comes into contact with the river to thoroughly wash their hands and any exposed skin with soap and clean water, remove and separately wash wet clothing, and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.