A massive spill of raw sewage and untreated wastewater into the Arkansas River in southeastern Colorado continues to wreak havoc on the region. Water in the river downstream of the spill, east of Pueblo, is still testing high for dangerous nasties like the bacteria E. coli. … And all of this is happening during one of the most agriculturally important times for the Lower Arkansas Valley, as watermelon, cantaloupe, chile peppers and other crops are harvested. … These new water quality challenges pile on top of earlier 2026 farming obstacles in the valley. Much of the Colorado-famous melon crop from the area was devastated in early season hail storms.

Related:

• Denver Gazette (Colo.): Recreation impacts of sewage spill expand with E. coli measured at more than 10x what’s deemed safe
• KRDO (Colorado Springs, Colo.): Water contact advisory expanded to ten state wildlife areas after untreated sewage spill near Pueblo
• KKTV (Colorado Springs, Colo.): Officials say sewage leak stopped, but Arkansas River contamination moves downstream