Update: Tests Show No Impact from Spill

Monday, November 5, 2018 at 1:12 PM

San Juan County Officials, The City of Farmington, and Emergency Management met with BP America to discuss the results of sampling from the Animas River spill. No traces of Hydrocarbons were found. All samples from the Animas river met EPA Standards.

From San Juan County:

November 12, 2018

After concerns of a spill of produced water into the Animas River, testing has indicated river water is safe to resume using.

San Juan County Officials, The City of Farmington, and Emergency Management met with BP America to discuss the results of sampling from the Animas River spill. No traces of Hydrocarbons were found. All samples from the Animas river met EPA Standards.

The City of Farmington also reported that water quality sensors, first installed during the Gold King Mine incident, did not detect readings of concern after the initial reports of a produced water spill.

Water users have been informed of the testing results and may resume normal use of the river. The City of Aztec, NMSU Extension Agent and State Engineers office have also been informed of the test results.

November 5, 2018

Information coming from La Plata County Colorado has identified a spill of possibly petroleum-laced water into the Animas River, north of the state line.

According to La Plata County, an unknown amount of produced water, possibly containing petroleum in some state, was spilled some time over the weekend. As of Monday morning, the water has reached the Animas River. Produced water refers to water that is pumped from a well as a byproduct of oil and gas also being produced.

The spill originated in High Flume Canyon, near the intersection of CR 213 and Rancho Durango Road. This location is west of US Highway 550 and the Animas River, and south of Durango. It is almost seven miles from the state line. The spill was first reported due to a petroleum smell coming from a nearby irrigation ditch. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission are investigating.

San Juan County Office of Emergency Management has informed local water users of the incident.

As more information is gathered, it will be made available through press release and social media.

From the City of Farmington:

November 5, 2018

The City of Farmington has been notified of a produced water spill from a wellsite near the Colorado border. In an abundance of caution, intake pumps to Lake Farmington have been shut down. Our citizens can rest assured that Farmington City water remains safe to consume.

More information to follow

More from Local News

AirCare adds Second Airplane

AirCare 3 is a Pilatus PC-12 Legacy. It joins AirCare 1, a Bell 429 twin engine helicopter, and AirCare 2, a Pilatus PC-12 NGX, all owned by San Juan Regional Medical Center and operated by Air Methods.
San Juan County Celebrates New Extension Office

The San Juan County Extension Service Building project is one of 14 projects funded by $13 million recovered in New Mexico’s 2022 settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA contractors, and mining defendants for injuries to natural resources resulting from the August 2015 Gold King Mine blowout.
2024 Election: San Juan County Contested Races

These are the unofficial election results from voting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 of the contested races in San Juan County, NM.
Local Freight Rail to receive up to $4 Million more for project

The (Four Corners Freight Rail) project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing resilience and improving system and service performance, as the project will provide a viable freight transportation modal alternative to highway trucking, opportunities to simplify the supply chain, and enable new, rail-dependent economic development opportunities thereby imparting benefits to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities.
Teen Boy Fatally Stabbed, Mother Beaten, Juvenile Suspect Arrested

The victim is a 12-year old boy who died of apparent stab wounds. A second victim, believed to be the suspect’s mother, sustained injuries from a blunt object attack and is being treated at CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango. The names of the victims are being withheld as the investigation is ongoing. The incident was reported by a motorist who was involved in a single vehicle accident shortly after 7 a.m., believed to have been caused by the suspect as he fled the residence on Snowy Peaks Way. Deputies discovered the scene when they arrived to investigate the accident.
Woman & Bystander Fatally Shot in Farmington

Andrew Wittenberg has been charged with aggravated burglary, larceny of a firearm, two counts of first-degree murder, and tampering with evidence. The investigation is still ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.