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

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returned to the waterways. Water plays a very important role in recre- ational potentialities of the Basin. The beautiful mountain streams are very important adjuncts to the mountain scenery and provide excellent fialli�lg. Cdi;a� iug i u Lhe tourist trade has become one of the region's most important businesses. The watering of livestock is a significant use. Basin waters are used extensively for production of hydroelectric power. Streams of the Basin carry great quantities of waste from popula- tion centers and numerous industrial establishments. This salient func- tion has been carried to such an extreme that other water uses have been seriously jeopardized. The health and welfare of the public in urban centers and rural areas is continuously endangered due to the use of sewage - polluted waters of the South Platte River, Seventy -three com- munities discharge sewage and industrial wastes totaling an estimated 480,070 population equivalents to streams of the South Platte system. Fifty -two industrial plants with separate outlets discharge wastes having a seasonal population equivalent of 4,195,410. In addition, 36 industries contribute to waterways inorganic materials such as silt, rock flour, acids, alkalies and metallic ions. Interstate pollution occurs below Ovid, Colorado. The use of sewage and waste -laden waters for irrigation of truck gardens and other farm crops has been noted by public health authori- ties'. The irrigation of low growing fruits and vegetables, especially those commonly consumed without cooking, is of particular significance. Studies already accomplished indicate that vegetables irrigated with polluted waters carry greater concentrations of bacteria of the intes- tinal groups than do vegetables irrigated with nonpolluted waters. Transmission, by this means, of enteric parasites such as tapeworms is well recognized particularly in cattle pastured on lands irrigated with contaminated water. Nuisance conditions often exist below the discharge of signifi- cant municipal and industrial wastes. In the Denver area nuisances occur in the Burlington - O'Brian Ditch, Sand Creek, and the South Platte River. Decomposing sludge banks produce bad odors and unsightly condi- tions at other localities. According to historical records, Clear Creek was an excellent fishing stream prior to extensive mining develop- ments in the watershed. Elsewhere, fish and other aquatic life have been driven from sections of streams that have become highly polluted. It is probable, however, that the lower reaches of certain streams under present conditions of flow regulation and water use would not form suitable fish habitat since,duririg portions of the year, dis- charges are extremely low or nonexistent. Industrial water supplies taken fron the polluted streams are of poor quality, their usage usually being limited to cooling and, in many instances, the build -up of slimes has seriously curtailed even this use. Polluted streams have limited recreational value. 1Colorado Medicine, January 1934, Dr. E. 11. Chapman, Rep't. Colorado 16micipalities Jan. -Feb. 1934, 4