Health department warns if you go in Pueblo County rivers, lakes or creeks you could get diseases

The Pueblo City-County Health Department has a warning for people who go to the Arkansas River, Fountain Creek or Runyon Lake.

The department said if people go in or even touch the water they could be at-risk of getting a disease.

Program Manager Vicki Carlton said the water is carrying debris that is contaminating the water because of the recent storms.

“The water is running really fast causing a lot of flooding which is picking up debris and sewage,” she said.

Carlton said even standing water on people’s properties caused from flooding can be contaminated.

“We can get E. coli, we could get salmonella, we could get hepatitis, and we could get parasites. You can get contamination from the material in the water,” she said.

But Carlton does have a solution. If you do go in the water or touch it, you can wash your body thoroughly.

“Our message is take the precaution and wash your hands and stay healthy. We don’t want you sick,” she said.

It’s a message Pueblo resident Mario Macaluso is taking to heart.

“At any lake, I usually bring a bottle of hand cleaner with me and clean up my hands. Then I’ll get everything put away, clean up my gear and take a shower,” he said.

The health department suggests washing your pets if they do go in the water.

The department also says if you want to eat the fish you catch, you should clean the fish thoroughly, wash your hands and cook the fish properly, which should get rid of the contaminants.