N.M. Officials: Colorado Mine Spill Didn’t Affect Drinking Water

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials say the massive mine waste spill in southwestern Colorado last year did not impact the quality of drinking water for most San Juan County residents. The Farmington Daily Times reports (http://bit.ly/2bxwvQw ) that the New Mexico Environment Department's Drinking Water Bureau informed the Gold King Mine Citizens' Advisory Committee that though San Juan County public water systems were shut down to keep the waste out, a year later the affected public water systems remain in compliance with drinking water standards. An EPA-led crew triggered the spill at the Gold King Mine during preliminary cleanup work on Aug. 5, 2015. Three million gallons of wastewater carrying arsenic, lead and other heavy metals tainted rivers in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.