Public Health Warns Against Arkansas River Recreation After Pueblo West Wastewater Spill

Description: Pueblo West officials report two wastewater discharges totaling approximately 239,000 gallons, prompting an Arkansas River recreational water advisory...

Due to a discharge of partially untreated water into the Arkansas River, Public Health is encouraging individuals to avoid activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming downstream from the spill until further notice.

The spill took place near Pest House Gulch, flowed into Wild Horse Creek, and entered the Arkansas River just west of Dutch Clark Stadium.

Pueblo West Metropolitan District Provides Public Notice of Wastewater Treatment Facility Discharge Incidents

PUEBLO WEST, Colo. (October 14, 2026) The Pueblo West Metropolitan District is notifying residents and the public regarding two wastewater discharge incidents that occurred on October 13, 2026, during planned infrastructure upgrades at the District’s wastewater treatment facility. The facility is currently undergoing improvements to modernize its ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system.

At approximately 1:13 a.m. on October 13, District operators responded to an alert indicating a temporary failure of a contractor-operated bypass pumping system. During the brief interruption, approximately 54,000 gallons of fully treated but non-disinfected wastewater was discharged through the plant outfall into Pest House Gulch and Wild Horse Creek before District personnel restored operation of the facility’s primary UV disinfection system.

A second operational complication occurred later that day during ongoing system adjustments associated with the upgrade project. Between approximately 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., approximately 185,000 gallons of partially treated and partially disinfected wastewater were released into Pest House Gulch and Wild Horse Creek.

District personnel responded immediately to both incidents, restoring treatment processes and implementing operational measures to stabilize system performance. The incidents were reported to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) through the state’s incident reporting process. District staff are also working closely with the contractor to implement additional redundancy measures and safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Water Quality Monitoring

Water quality samples were collected at established testing locations within the treatment plant’s effluent channel and at downstream monitoring points. Laboratory analysis for E. coli is currently underway, and the District will continue evaluating water quality conditions in coordination with regulatory agencies.

Public Advisory

Pueblo West’s drinking water remains safe and unaffected. These incidents involved treated wastewater discharges and do not impact the District’s drinking water treatment facilities, distribution system, or drinking water sources.

Out of an abundance of caution, residents, visitors, and pet owners are advised to avoid recreational contact with water in Pest House Gulch, Wild Horse Creek, and the immediate downstream areas while water quality monitoring and testing continue.

Commitment to Transparency

The Pueblo West Metropolitan District is committed to transparency, environmental stewardship, and protecting public health. The District will continue to provide updates as additional information and water quality monitoring results become available.

Media Contact:
Kevin Niles – Director of Utilities
719-547-5000

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