Heavy metal levels nearly normal near Farmington; La Plata Co. tests sediment for toxins

New Mexico received some results of water testing Wednesday that showed heavy metal levels in the Animas River that were collected near Farmington Monday.

The results showed that all metal levels were at normal drinking water levels before the plume arrived and that they were all within normal standards, except for lead, when collected Monday. Allowable lead content is 15 micrograms per liter, and lead levels were at 15.4 micrograms per liter Monday. The state says it expects water quality to continue to improve in coming days.

LA PLATA CO., EPA CONDUCT SEDIMENT TESTING

In La Plata County, Colorado, well testing continued Wednesday, as did sediment testing.

La Plata County officials said EPA technicians took 19 sediment samples Tuesday and had shipped them all by Wednesday. Results from those samples are expected by Sunday, according to La Plata County.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also collected its own sediment samples, which it expects results for Thursday.

CDPHE said Wednesday the city of Durango can start collecting water from the Animas River again to put in their treatment facilities and disperse to customers.

“Although we are all in agreement about the water quality results being back to pre-event levels, it is only prudent that we wait to have sediment testing results to ensure public safety prior to opening the river to recreation,” La Plata Co. Sheriff Sean Smith said.

LA PLATA CO. BEGINS FLUSHING IRRIGATION DITCHES

EPA and La Plata Co. officials also began inspecting and flushing out selected irrigation ditches for farmers and ranchers. Once the flushes begin, La Plata County officials say they expect to see a “slight temporary change” in the color of the river.

Operators for ditches that take water from the Animas are asked to call 970-385-8700 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and provide their name and phone number so officials can coordinate opening the river gates. Individual water users are asked to keep their gates closed, and livestock owners are still being cautioned against watering their livestock with Animas water for the time being.

MISSOURI-BASED CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR MINE SPILL

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Missouri-based Environmental Restoration LLC was the contractor whose heavy machinery and workers caused the breach at the Gold King Mine in Silverton, citing an EPA official and government documents.

The EPA, which was overseeing the operation, had not previously named the contractor.

The Fenton, Mo.-based company did not return calls for comment to the Wall Street Journal.

SILVERTON STANDARD PUBLISHER CONFIRMS LETTER TO EDITOR

Silverton Standard editor and publisher Mark Esper confirmed Wednesday a letter to the editor was published July 30 that predicted a “possible Superfund blitzkrieg” in the Silverton area.

A Farmington man who called himself Dave Taylor, who said he has been a geologist for 47 years, said the city and EPA were setting itself up for something like the Gold King Mine spill to happen, even saying a 500 gallon/minute flow would dump into Cement Creek.

-Originally published at KOB.com