A summerlong study shows heavy metals in the sediment of the Animas River remain at safe levels for “typical recreational use,” the San Juan Basin Health Department announced this week.
According to a news release, 67 samples were tested for 13 types of heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, cadmium and uranium, among others, that can pose a health risk at elevated levels. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also was part of the study.
The testing was prompted by last year’s Gold King Mine spill, in which an Environmental Protection Agency-contracted crew released 3 million gallons of mine waste down the Animas River, dumping more than 880,000 pounds of heavy metals into the waterway.
“None of these data points indicated an unsafe level for river recreation,” the announcement said. “Overall, the 2016 data are consistent with the historical state of the river: Metals are present in the Animas River at different levels throughout the year. These levels tend to impact fish habitat but are always at a safe level for recreation.”
Samples were taken weekly at four locations between Silverton and Durango and at an additional five locations in Durango that are popular for recreational activities.
“This plan was created in response to community concerns about public health impacts from the presence of metals in the river,” the health department said. “Laboratory analysis of samples taken from April through August, as metals moved downstream in high runoff, is now complete.”
The EPA announced in a string of public meetings this week along the watershed that it too has conducted ecological and human health risk assessments, the results should be available after further analysis.
The EPA declared 48 mining sites around Silverton as the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site this fall, and the agency is drafting a cleanup plan.
Several agencies said it’s too early to declare whether contaminates from the mines discharging heavy metals in the Animas River watershed pose a direct risk to human health.
According to the data released this week, the local and state health departments will continue water and sediment sampling over the winter and until August 2017, after spring runoff.
The EPA, too, said it will continue monitoring the watershed.
