A Report of Water Pollution in the South Platte River Basin February 1953

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and this installation will provide treatment for Golden, Colorado; and all ore processing mills have some type of waste detention ponds. Many of these installations are inadequate, but the number of treatment plants .irfiin.AtPs the intent of various industries to cooperate in an effort to control pollution. Table 9e South _Platte River Basin - Adequacy of existing treatment facilities Adequacy with relation to hkisting apace T, y per. ion treatment Satis- Unsatis- Satis- Unsatis- facilities Number factory factory factory factory Lni cipal * 43 1.4 29 28 15 Industrial ** 50 22 28 22 28 ^Includes incorporated or unincorporated municipalities, other legal bodies as sanitary districts, counties, towns, significant institutions, resorts, recreational centers or other population centers. **Industries having separate outlets discharging wastes directly to watercourse. Water pollution control legislation in the State of Colorado has placed the responsibility for pollution control with the State Depart- ment of Health and the State Game and Fish Department. The Health Department's powers are limited to public health aspects of water pollu- tion control. The department has been active in the field of water pol- lution control but lacks personnel and funds. More detailed and broader legislation, vesting in a single State agency statutory authority to effectively deal with the problem, is desirable. The Health Department requires approval of plans for new sewage works prior to their construc- tion. However, submission of plans cannot be required for industrial waste treatment plants where there is no connection to a municipal sewer system. The financing of sewer systems is adequately covered by muni- cipal finance laws. Either revenue or general obligation bonds are per- mitted. A committee appointed by the Governor of Colorado is presently engaged in developing a comprehensive stream pollution control law to be presented for consideration at the next general assembly. New legisla- tion which embodies the principles recommended by the Council of State Governmentsl is highly= desirable. The existing State Water Pollution Control Laws of Nebraska are inadequate for present needs. The present law limits authority of the State water pollution control agency to the public health aspects of pollution and does not apply to other detrimental pollutional effects. The Streaiii Pollution Control Agency's present functions are limited largely to educational or advisory services. The State Fish and Gauge Commission of Nebraska has jurisdiction over pollution control where such pollution has been found harmful to aquatic life. In either case there is no specific authority to issue orders against sources of pol- lution, and abatement action must be taken through the county attorneys. 1Suggested State Water Pollution Control Act and hlxplanatory State- ment as endorsed by Council of State Goverrnnents. 32