After a federal cleanup crew breached a retired mine location just outside of Silverton, the crew accidentally released 3 million gallons of metal affected wastewater into the Animas River reports the Denver Post.
The result? The river is now colored a radioactive orange.
As of now, it’s unclear as to what the long-term environmental and health effects will be but the EPA is on the hook for the accident, which has inflamed local authorities. Water samples taken have shown to contain a large amount of metals including arsenic and according to one source the water is now more acidic than coffee. Samples taken from Cement Creek revealed a Ph level of 3.74 and the Animas below Silverton was measured at 4.8. Ph levels prior to the spill were measured between 6-7.
La Plata and Durango counties have since declared a state of emergency.
- “This action has been taken due to the serious nature of the incident and to convey the grave concerns that local elected officials have to ensure that all appropriate levels of state and federal resources are brought to bear to assist our community not only in actively managing this tragic incident but also to recover from it.”- La Plata County Manager Joe Kerby
- “Your water never has been and never will be contaminated… Your water is safe to drink.”– Durango Mayor Dean Brookie
Locals, especially those who rely on the river for their livelihoods are furious and questions are swirling as to how their businesses will be affected by this misstep. Navajo Nation President Russell Begave says he plans to sue the EPA to the “fullest extent of the law to protect Navajo families and resources.”
“They are not going to get away with this,” President Russell Begaye told nativenewsonline.net., referring to the environmental effects on the Navajo Nation.