Colorado Parks and Wildlife lifted its recreation and water-contact advisory for the John Martin Reservoir on Friday after tests repeatedly showed E. coli levels were safe for recreation, according to a news release by the agency.

The advisory was issued after 4.2 million gallons of untreated sewage spilled from the city of Pueblo into the Arkansas River shortly after it meets with the Fountain Creek.

E. coli tests have shown levels of around 6 colony-forming units per 100 mL (CFU/100 mL at the reservoir’s east boat ramp and swim beach, while the spillway doubled from around 65 to 143 CFU/100 mL in tests taken on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Typically, around 100 CFU/100 mL is considered safe and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has deemed all of those areas safe for recreation.

“Multiple safe readings over several days gives us confidence to lift the sewage-related advisory,” John Martin Reservoir State Park Manager Dan Kirmer stated in the release. “Testing will continue through the weekend and in the days ahead, and we will keep visitors informed.”

A public health advisory remains in effect downstream along the Arkansas River for Blende, Avondale, Fowler, Manzanola, Rocky Ford, La Junta and Las Animas.

There, the most recently available E. coli tests by the CDPHE range from 21 CFU/100 mL in Las Animas to 1,413 CFU/100 mL at Colorado 167 in Fowler.

Levels closer to the initial spill have decreased, including at Baxter Road in Pueblo, where conditions are safe for recreation but “may change” after initially reaching over 2,419 CFU/100 mL, according to the CDPHE.

Up-to-date test results and other information on the spill can be found on a webpage dedicated to the spill on the CDPHE website.

The spill occurred when a stormwater pipe burst under pressure from a hole cut “many years ago” that was patched with concrete in a wastewater pipe within it, the city of Pueblo stated previously.

There is no evidence the spill has impacted drinking water, and growers in the Arkansas Valley must ensure the water they use is in compliance with food safety requirements, the CDPHE previously stated.

Coming into contact with the contaminated water could carry bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever and other symptoms, according to the CDPHE’s news release on Monday. If someone contacts the water, CDPHE advises:

• Washing hands and exposed skin thoroughly with soap and clean water
• Removing wet clothes and washing them separately
• Seeking medical attention if symptoms develop, especially if they are severe or if the person is very young, older, pregnant or has a weakened immune system