The state had previously restricted using river water for land and garden irrigation, as well as for water fountains, swimming pools and washing cars.
Advertisement
Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, along with Rep. Ben Ray Luján, issued a joint statement saying the threat from the spill now threatens the drinking water in Northern New Mexico, as well as recreation and agricultural activities areas throughout the Navajo Nation.
Public water systems for the cities of Farmington and, with populations of 47,000 and 6,800 respectively, draw from the Animas and five smaller water supplies rely on the for water which is treated for drinking, she said.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency says it will conduct additional testing along the San Juan River at Hogback monitoring station.
New Mexico lifted the ban after officials say test results from both rivers show the water there meets environmental quality standards. Its color has since dissipated.
While fishing is also allowed again, the New Mexico Game and Fish Department recommends anglers only do catch and release fishing until the amount of contamination in fish in the river can be better assessed.
Advisories were lifted on the San Juan River for crop irrigation and livestock watering Friday. Farmers and ranchers were advised to remain cautious and report any changes in the health of their crops and livestock, according to a press release from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
Advertisement
The Animas River in Durango, Colorado, about 50 miles (80 km) south of the spill, had turned bright, lime green by Sunday, and was a darker shade of blue-green by Tuesday, a sign that pollutants were gradually clearing, at least near the surface, said Sinjin Eberle, a spokesman for the conservation group American Rivers. But they say initial tests on sediments show no risk to people using the river.
