San Juan Co. lifts ban on use of Animas River; city of Farmington has not started pumping

The San Juan County Executive Officer lifted a ban on use of the Animas River in New Mexico at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Executive Officer Dr. Kim Carpenter said he had received full support from the newly-announced Long-Term Impact Review Team, as well as the U.S. Environmental Agency and other local officials.

“Because the waters of the Animas and San Juan Rivers are now meeting all applicable water quality standards, the Environment Department, with the state’s multi-agency team, lifts the ban on water systems’ supply connections to the Animas and San Juan Rivers and on the public’s recreational use of the rivers in concurrence with local officials and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency,” said NM Environment Secretary Ryan Flynn.

A news release from San Juan Co. said users may still notice some sediment discoloration, but that the state Environment and Health departments “do not anticipate adverse human health effects due to exposure to contaminated sediment.”

It also said that state officials have “continuing concern” for long-term river health and for aquatic life in the river due to the sediment.

Still, the state warns not to drink any untreated water from the river, to wash with soap and water should you go into the water or sediment, avoid areas with discolored sediment.

It also recommended only catch-and-release fishing.

The county lifted its ban on drawing canal or Animas River waterinto ditches Friday.

Also on Friday, the city of Durango resumed pumping water from the Animas River into its treatment facilities Friday afternoon for the first time since the Gold King Mine spill occurred Aug. 5.

Despite the fact that the city of Farmington can start pumping water from the river, its city manager said Sunday that had not begun yet.

City Manager Rob Mayes stated, “Although not needed at this time,  the City of Farmington Municipal Water System would have no reservations with pumping water. We have an adequate water reserves to a degree that we are under no specific timeline to commence pumping from the Animas River. As such, we HAVE NOT BEGUN PUMPING into our reservoir at this point in time. City Officials will be meeting next week to determine the most prudent timeline for commencing pumping. We will continue to keep our citizens and water customers fully informed.”

Originally published at KOB.com