Sewage Spill Headed to John Martin Reservoir

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) says more than 4 million gallons of sewage will reach a reservoir today in Bent County. 

Last Wednesday, a City of Pueblo wastewater treatment plant started spilling 4.25 million gallons of untreated sewage into the Arkansas River. The release wasn’t discovered until Thursday, and once discovered was stopped. 

State health officials say the raw sewage contains harmful bacteria that present risks to human health, such as E coli. A water advisory is going into effect today for the John Martin Reservoir. 

“Beginning Monday, visitors should avoid swimming, wading, tubing, paddle boarding, fishing and other activities involving direct water contact. Visitors should also keep pets away from affected water,” CPW said in a release on Sunday. 

CPW officials are coordinating with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to keep the park staff informed and to prepare a monitoring plan as the spill moves downstream. CDPHE will collect water-quality samples at the park and CPW will update the advisory as sampling results become available.