Health Advisory for Recreational or Other Contact with the
Cache La Poudre and South Platte Rivers in Northern Colorado
May 23, 2008 - DENVER - The Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment is advising people residing in
Weld and Morgan counties to reduce the health risks caused
by contaminants, including partially treated sewage, that
have entered the Cache La Poudre and South Platte Rivers as
a result of yesterday’s tornadoes in the area.
The Cache La Poudre below the town of Windsor and South
Platte River below the confluence with the Cache La Poudre
River are likely to be contaminated with partially treated
sewage and other wastewater due to power failures and damage
to wastewater treatment systems that occurred on May 22. The
wastewater treatment systems have recovered and again are
operational.
The department has issued the following advice to residents
who live near these streams in Weld and Morgan counties:
- Keep out of these rivers until further notice.
- Do not allow children or pets to play in the water.
- Do not allow children to play with toys that have been
in contact with the water.
- Individuals who may come in contact with the water
should practice good personal hygiene by washing their hands
with soap and clean warm water.
- If a person exposed to the water has open wounds, he or
she should contact a physician or local health department
for guidance regarding receiving tetanus/diphtheria
inoculations.
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