Local
Pueblo West wastewater spills send nearly 250,000 gallons into two river tributaries
Two accidental discharges from the Pueblo West treatment plant reached Wild Horse Creek and Pest House Gulch during work on its ultraviolet disinfection system. Water testing is underway, and officials say drinking water is not affected while urging people and pets to stay out of the creeks.
Nearly 250,000 gallons of wastewater spilled Tuesday from the Pueblo West Metropolitan District’s treatment plant into Wild Horse Creek and Pest House Gulch, tributaries of the Arkansas River.
The two discharges occurred as contractors worked on an upgrade to the plant’s ultraviolet disinfection system. Failures in bypass equipment led to spills of wastewater at different stages of treatment and disinfection, the district said in a written statement.
Water-quality testing is underway in both creeks. The district reported the spills to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and said it is working with the contractor on safeguards to prevent similar failures.
The district said the spills have not affected drinking water. It advised people and pets to avoid contact with water in the affected waterways while testing proceeds.
The incident highlights the risks that can arise when wastewater-treatment equipment is being modified: even water that has undergone some treatment may not have received full disinfection before entering local waterways.