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Animas River reopens after Gold King Mine fiasco

Health advisory issued for recreational users

The Animas River fully reopened to the public at noon Friday, and the city resumed pumping raw water from the Animas River after health officials said sediment sampling showed levels of contamination “below what would be a concern for human health.”

La Plata County Sheriff Sean Smith and federal environmental officials said earlier in the week that they would not consider reopening the river until at least Sunday. But news regarding the contamination incident continued to improve throughout the week.

“My primary concern is the public health and safety of our community,” Smith said. “With the release of preliminary results from the state health department and its accompanying recommendation, I am opening our river for recreation.”

The river reopening came with a health advisory, including urging the public to avoid areas with orange sediment or discolored standing water. Anyone coming in contact with any orange sediment or discolored standing water should wash with soap and water, the advisory states.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife, however, has not gotten results on the fish that were placed in cages and survived until they were taken out of the river Tuesday and frozen for analysis of metals accumulation in tissue and organs. Until those numbers are available, which might take as long as two weeks, people should not eat fish caught in the Animas.

The Animas had been closed for eight days, ever since an error by an Environmental Protection Agency-contracted crew sent an estimated 3 million gallons of mining wastewater into the river, turning it a mustard-yellow color. Initial tests showed spikes in metals in the river – such as arsenic, cadmium, copper, aluminum and lead – as well as a plummet in pH levels.

Both state and federal officials said this week that the water-quality levels had returned to pre-event conditions. Officials were just waiting on the sediment tests to make a final decision.

Liane Jollon, executive director of San Juan Basin Health Department, concurred with the analysis conducted by state and federal authorities.

“Right now, I have complete confidence in this decision,” Jollon said in a statement. “Local public health is loyal only to getting it right for you. We will continue to follow this issue very closely. Through the recovery you will continue to hear from us. We cannot do this without you.”

Durango water treatment officials said that the raw water pumped from the Animas will receive further treatment. During pumping, the Utilities Department will continue to analyze water quality samples according to already established protocols to ensure the safety of our drinking-water supply. Residents and businesses can now resume “responsible” outdoor watering of yards and gardens, the city said.

“A huge thank you to our community,” said Mayor Dean Brookie. “We put out the call to discontinue outdoor irrigation, and the community responded by reducing their usage by more than 2 million gallons a day in just 48 hours. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping to keep our drinking water safe.”

Well-water users

Domestic well-water users got good news Friday, as well.

“State health toxicologists have confirmed that it is safe to shower in well water even if testing has not come back on your particular well,” the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a news release late Friday afternoon, also saying that preliminary data from the first 16 wells sampled showed that none tested above the regulatory levels for safe drinking water.

There were some caveats for well-water users, all pertaining to manganese levels. One visual sign of high levels of the element is black-colored water.

If levels are above 430 micrograms per liter, the CDPHE said, the water should not be used in making baby formula.

“Certain baby formulas contain manganese, and if those formulas are prepared with water that also contains manganese,” the release said, “the infant may get a higher dose than the rest of the family. In addition, young children appear to absorb more manganese than older age groups but excrete less.”

Pregnant and breast-feeding women should not drink water with more than 500 micrograms per liter. Private landowners who had high manganese levels before the spill should compare their test results with those taken before the incident.

Sediment testing results

The sediment samples collected in the Animas River from Bakers Bridge to north of Durango were validated by the EPA after a review, which included an analysis to determine if the metal concentrations are consistent with pre-incident levels.

Metal results that exceeded pre-incident levels were compared to levels that would pose a risk to humans. The preliminary results suggest that screening levels are below what would pose a risk. The review was conducted by the EPA, state and local health officials.

Contamination of the Animas River has long existed, as is the case with most Colorado rivers because of past mining activities and the geology of the state. In the case of the recent disaster, sludge came from the abandoned Gold King Mine near Silverton. But health officials say there should not be adverse effects from exposure during typical recreational activities.

Irrigation water

Still, steps are being taken to protect irrigation ditches that draw from the Animas. Those continue to be flushed, and agricultural users are urged to “exercise patience until this process is complete,” officials said.

La Plata County has flushed and allowed use of some irrigation ditches for watering crops such as wheat and alfalfa. Flushing may cause local, temporary discoloration of the Animas River, which should clear quickly. The county is systematically working to reopen all ditches, officials said in the Friday news release.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian’s Office is confident that water from the Animas River can be used to water livestock.

“The information we have received shows that water quality levels are comparable to those prior to the spill,” said Dr. Carl Heckendorf, state veterinarian for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates if it becomes necessary.”

Monitoring of water and sediment quality will continue.

La Plata County leaders are just starting to realize the economic impact of the incident.

Joanne Spina, assistant county manager, said that through Tuesday, the county has incurred $67,000 in costs. The county has sent a long list of requests to the EPA seeking reimbursements.

“We’ll try to summarize and gather as much information on a daily basis so we can continue to have a running count on that,” Spina said.

pmarcus@durangoherald.com abutler@durangoherald.com

Who to call

Animas River ditch operators are asked to call the Call Center at 385-8700 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. so officials can coordinate the reopening of all headgates.

Southern Ute Indian Tribe members may call the tribal hotline at 563-5025.

Gardeners who use water from the Animas River and grow leafy vegetables and root crops should call 382-6463.

Private well owners with questions can call Andrew Ross at (303) 692-3395 or the Call Center.

To report fish kills or other Animas River spill effects on wildlife, call Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 247-0855.

For the latest information about the spill as well as test results, visit the city of Durango’s website at www.durangogov.org, the county’s website at www.co.laplata.co.us/emergency, San Juan Basin Health Department’s website at www.sjbhd.org, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website at www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/animas-river-spill or the Environmental Protection Agency’s incident website at www2.epa.gov/goldkingmine.

Because of incorrect information received by the Herald, this contact list has been revised to show that San Juan Basin Health Department is not a contact for well owners with questions.

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