City of Idaho Springs
Unusual Pink Coloring of Water Discharging into Clear Creek
For Immediate Release: March 13, 2023
Contact: Andrew Marsh, City Administrator (303) 567-4421, admin@idahospringsco.com
During daily water sampling this morning, the City of Idaho Springs Water Resource Reclamation Facility staff discovered an unusual pink coloring in the treated water discharging into Clear Creek. The source of the pink coloring is unknown. Internal samples at the Facility were analyzed, and no abnormal results were found. Samples were also taken and sent to an outside laboratory.
The incident was immediately reported by City staff to personnel at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) 24-hour spill hotline. The Clear Creek Sheriff’s Office was also notified and issued an alert to users downstream of the Facility. Notifications will continue to be sent to users until the pink coloring is absent from the discharge.
In cooperation with CDPHE, the City has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the pink coloring that was introduced into the Facility from the City’s sewer collection system. Further, while no adverse biological impacts have been observed in Clear Creek, staff will continue to monitor the situation.
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