Water contact advisory lifted for John Martin Reservoir after untreated sewage spill near Pueblo

BENT COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, along with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and other local health officials have lifted the water contact advisory for John Martin Reservoir after an untreated sewage spill near Pueblo affected E. coli levels.

RELATED REPORTING: CPW issuing water contact advisory for reservoir downstream of the Arkansas River after sewage released in Pueblo

According to officials, water sampling has shown E. coli concentrations in the reservoir have returned to normal levels that are consistent with state recreational standards.

The advisory was initially put into place after over four million gallons of untreated sewage spilled into the Arkansas River near Pueblo last week.

RELATED REPORTING: Around 4.25 million gallons of untreated sewage enter Arkansas River near Pueblo

Public health official say the water contact advisory remains in place for the Arkansas River from where Fountain Creek meets the Arkansas through La Junta. They say E. coli results in these locations are still elevated.

More information on recent water quality levels is available on CDPHE's website.

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