The Arkansas River has dangerously high levels of bacteria after a broken pipe at a southern Colorado wastewater treatment plant spilled 4.25 million gallons of raw sewage into the Eastern Plains waterway this week, state officials said.

Samples of Arkansas River water downstream of Pueblo tested with “extremely high” levels of bacteria, including E. coli, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said in a news release Friday night.

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.

“Testing will continue over the coming days to assess contamination levels and water safety,” state officials said. “Public health officials do not know yet how long the advisory will remain in effect.”

State and local officials will continue testing the river water and will lift the advisory when it’s back to normal, the agency said.

Under the alert, public health officials are advising that Coloradans:

  • 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.

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.

There’s no evidence that the spill affected public drinking water systems, which have multiple steps in place to protect against contamination and were notified of the spill n time to shut off intakes, state public health officials said.

The state has notified ranches and farms in the Arkansas River Valley about the spill, and those covered by the Food and Drug Administration’s produce safety rule must make sure any water they use is “of adequate quality.”

The spill started Wednesday when a failed patch on a wastewater pipe inside a stormwater pipe sent raw sewage directly into the Arkansas River near Confluence Park, Pueblo city officials said in a news release. It was discovered and stopped just before noon Thursday.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

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