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For Immediate Release Wednesday, September 28, 2005

PUBLIC URGED TO AVOID CLEAR CREEK BECAUSE OF SEWAGE SPILL

Contact: Cindy Parmenter
Director of Communications
(303) 692-2013 - Office
(303) 891-8382 – Pager

Steve Thomas
Public Information Officer
(303) 692-2027 - Office
(720) 210-6213 – Cell

DENVER – Local residents Wednesday were urged by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment officials to avoid Clear Creek from Georgetown to the South Platte River until at least Friday morning because of a sewage treatment plant upset.

The upset occurred between 2:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday when a power outage caused Georgetown’s Wastewater Treatment Plant to malfunction, permitting about 100,000 gallons of partially treated sewage to enter Clear Creek.

Steve Gunderson, the director of the Department of Public Health and Environment’s Water Quality Control Division, said that, as a result of the upset, water samples now are being taken at numerous locations along Clear Creek to determine the level of contamination.

Gunderson said that when the results of tests on those samples become available, it will be determined what additional steps need to be taken and when the warning about contact with Clear Creek can be lifted.

Georgetown officials notified the Department of Public Health and Environment’s Water Quality Control Division of the upset. In turn, the Clear Creek County Environmental Health Department, Jefferson County Health Department, Tri-County Health Department and downstream drinking water users and communities have been or are being notified of the spill and of the potential contamination.

Water Quality Control Division water pollution experts advised citizens who live near Clear Creek in Clear Creek, Jefferson and Adams counties or persons who use the creek for recreational purposes to take the following precautions:

• Do not allow children or pets to play in the water, nor allow children to play with toys that have been in contact with the water.

• All persons should avoid body contact with the stream and the water in it, including rafters and kayakers. Individuals who come in contact with the water should practice good personal hygiene and wash their hands frequently with soap and clean warm water.

• If a person is exposed to the water and has open wounds, he or she should contact a physician or local health department for guidance regarding receiving tetanus/diphtheria shots or booster shots.