The Animas River is now open for recreational use with a health advisory from the state health department, officials said Friday afternoon.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment collected and analyzed water quality and sediment from the river that indicates the water has returned to “stable conditions that are not a concern for human health during typical recreational exposure,” according to a news release by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
As of noon, Sheriff Sean Smith declared the river open. “There will be some discoloration of the water when the sediment is disturbed — this discoloration does not pose an immediate health risk,” the release said.
The San Juan Basin Health Department agrees with the state’s findings and said there are no adverse health effects from exposure to the water and sediment during “normal recreational use.”
On Aug. 5, the EPA accidentally released 3 million gallons of waste water from the Gold King Mine into the Animas River basin, prompting officials to close the river the next day.
The health department advises the public to avoid areas with orange sediment or discolored standing water. Anyone who comes into contact with orange sediment or discolored standing water is advised to wash with soap and water.
The water will continue to be tested, the release said.
The city also said that people should not drink untreated water from the river.
“While conditions in the Animas River today have been determined safe for recreational use, irrigation ditches that draw from the river currently are being flushed, and agricultural users should continue toe exercise patience until this process is complete,” the release said.
Officials also said Friday that early data from the first 16 water wells sampled show no well tested above regulatory drinking water levels.
State health department toxicologists said it is safe to shower in well water even if testing has not come back on all private wells. They warned that until all individual tests are in, the well water should not be used for infant formula or be consumed by pregnant or nursing women.
