More than 4 million gallons of raw sewage are flowing down the Arkansas River in southern Colorado, leaving public health officials to issue downstream warnings about playing in the water.
The sewage is expected to reach the John Martin Reservoir State Park in Bent County on Monday morning, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife advised people to avoid swimming, wading, tubing, paddleboarding and fishing in the reservoir.
The sewage spill began Wednesday at Pueblo’s wastewater treatment plant, which is just east of Interstate 25. The spill, which happened when a patch on a wastewater pipe failed, was stopped on Thursday after it was discovered. Officials estimated 4.25 million gallons of raw sewage leaked into the Arkansas River before the pipe was fixed.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported on Friday that dangerously high levels of bacteria, including E. coli, were detected in water samples taken from the river.
People and animals should avoid any contact with river water from where Fountain Creek enters the Arkansas River in Pueblo through John Martin Reservoir in Hasty, including Blende, Avondale, Fowler, Manzanola, Rocky Ford, La Junta and Las Animas.
Anyone who comes into contact with the river should immediately wash their hands and skin with soap and clean water; remove wet clothing and wash it separately; and contact a health care provider if they develop symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever or other illnesses.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture issued for contaminated irrigation water used by produce farmers downstream from Pueblo. Growers must ensure any water used on crops before, after or during a harvest is of “adequate quality,” the alert said. The Arkansas River provides water to farms and ranches between Pueblo and the state line in southeastern Colorado.
Colorado has notified the Kansas Department of Public Health and Environment so that the agency can warn its Arkansas River water users.
The sewage spill is happening at John Martin state park as the reservoir already has a bloom, according to a CPW news release. The blue-green algae is toxic and can cause skin rashes, respiratory ailments and gastrointestinal distress.
The reservoir was recently downgraded to a yellow caution level for algae-producing cyanobacteria and toxins. Regular testing continues.
Lake Hasty, a separate water body at the park, is closed to swimming, wading and other recreational activities because of the algae. That lake will not be affected by the sewage spill.
