US Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) accidentally released into the Animas in Colorado. Durango since Friday afternoon towards the lake in the National Park through major cities such as New Mexico, as well as through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah. It has an orange color and is rich in heavy metals.
A huge amount of water first flooded the Cement Kreek water channel, and then passed into the waters of the Animas River after the old dam of the former Gold King mine broke. Toxic water was formed as a result of mining during the gold rush more than 100 years ago. The first results of the analysis of water and silt in the Animas River showed the content of substances that are harmful to human health, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, copper, calcium and other heavy metals in various proportions.
Immediately after the incident, residents of the region were asked to stay away from places where toxic water flows indefinitely, and farmers were asked not to use water on their farms. According to CNN on Tuesday, August 11, the water of the river no longer contains the bulk of harmful metals and its normal color has returned. A preliminary assessment of the incident by local health officials suggests that there is no risk to public health, but access to the river remains limited.
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper declared the incident an emergency disaster and requested $500,000 from the appropriate fund to deal with the consequences.