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<br />-"'~_'U ' <br /> <br />Colorado does not have a large number of major industrial dischargers. Of <br />those that do exist, the most common are mining and milling operations <br />associated with energy and mineral development. In addition, steelmaking, <br />petroleum refining, manufacturing and food processing industries are <br />...... scattered throughout the State. Most of the industrial dischargers along <br />-J the Front Range send their wastes to public wastewater treatment plants <br />en for final treatment prior to discharge. <br />C.il <br /> <br />Minor wastewater facilities constitute the largest group of point source <br />dischargers in Colorado. Included in this category are small treatment <br />plants associated with seasonal resort areas, trailer parks, hotels and <br />restaurants, and numerous sand and gravel operations. Most discharge <br />permit violations associated with these types of facilities are due to <br />inadequate or improper operation and maintenance practices. <br /> <br />Confined animal feeding operations are also required to obtain discharge <br />permits. Permits for feedlots usually require that there be no discharge <br />except for overflows resulting from unusual storm events. Most of the <br />feedlots are located in the plains area of the South Platte and Arkansas <br />valleys. Although the potential for pollution from feedlots can be <br />significant, they generally have not been a problem because of their <br />geographic location and the precautions taken to contain runoff. <br /> <br />B. Non-point Source Problems <br /> <br />Water pollution from non-point sources falls into the following categories. <br /> <br />1) Irrigated Agriculture - The principal pollutants associated with <br />irrigated agriculture in Colorado are salinity and nitrates. Salt loading <br />from irrigated agriculture is particularly significant in the Colorado <br />River system. Programs are underway in the Grand Valley, Gunnison Valley, <br />and the San Juan Basin area to 'evaluate and control these problems. <br /> <br />High nitrate levels in alluvial groundwater are associated with the use of <br />feedlot wastes and commercial fertilizers on irrigated cropland'. The <br />problem 'is most significant in the South Pl~tte Valley of Weld County <br />where many of the wells used for drinking water do not meet public health <br />criteria for nitrates. <br /> <br />2) Non-irrigated Agriculture - The principal pollutant associated with dry <br />croplands and rangeland is sediment. Most non-irrigated cropland in <br />Colorado is located on the eastern high plains and generally does not pose <br />serious water pollution problems. <br /> <br />3) Mining - The principal pollutants from mining activities are heavy <br />metals. Early mining activities in Colorado destroyed 'the aquatic habitat <br />in many mountain streams. Approximately 450 miles of degraded streams <br />remain today. <br /> <br />The control of water pollution from inactive mines is a difficult and <br />complex process. Since most inactive mines are not truly abandoned, mine <br />owners must be located and notified of the need for remedial measures. <br />Because the mines are not producing, owners often have limited financial <br />resources to pay for clean-up and traditionally the costs of clean-up have <br /> <br />-8- <br />