WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its ongoing efforts to address the recent spill at the Gold Kind Mine into the Animas River in Colorado, according to a press release.
About 600 gallons of water per minute are flowing out of the mine, noted the release. A system of pounds is treating the water before discharging it into Cement Creek.
Irrigation ditches that draw from the Animas River are in use after being flushed by the EPA, stated the release. Data show water quality meets the state of Colorado’s standards for agricultural purposes.
A 69-person EPA team is on the ground in New Mexico, reported the release. The state reopened the Animas and San Juan rivers for drinking water systems and recreational activity based on sampling data. EPA samples showed water quality is returning to pre-spill conditions, and it continues to sample water from nine locations on the San Juan River.
Private well water and irrigation ditch use can also resume along the Animas River in New Mexico, the release shared. The EPA continues to work with the Navajo Nation to assess water conditions along highly variable segments of the river between Farmington and Shiprock. The agency is providing more than 16,000 gallons of water for agriculture and livestock use.
More than 210 EPA employees and contractors are working on the effort, noted the release. At least 20 federal, state and local agencies are involved.
A media conference call will be held at 3 p.m. MRN on Aug. 17, stated the release. Click here for the call information.
You can find the entire release here.
