September 8th 2024.
Volunteers who are working on clean up projects along Denver's South Platte River are coming across a wide range of discarded items along the riverbanks. These items include things like shopping carts, food wrappers, and even guns. But perhaps the most interesting finds are the obscure relics from decades past, like car phones from the 1990s. Despite the efforts of a new era of revitalization projects and development plans for the river, the water quality still falls below state standards in many areas. In fact, some sections of the South Platte still have a distinct odor, making it less than desirable for recreational activities.
Even though former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock promised to make the river swimmable, city health officials are still advising against going in the water, especially during the summer months. Jon Novick, the water quality program administrator for the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, stated, "If you want to go swimming, go to a swimming pool - you're much safer there."
The recent surge of attention on the South Platte, from developers, community leaders, and city officials, has brought to light the many environmental challenges that still exist. Wastewater plants are discharging effluent into the river, and companies like Suncor Energy are releasing a variety of substances into the South Platte and its tributaries. Among these are inorganic nitrogen, arsenic, and PFAS compounds, also known as "forever chemicals."
For decades, Denver's health department has been monitoring a range of contaminants and river conditions. They keep track of water temperature, acidity, nutrients, and metals. However, their main concern is E. coli bacteria, which can cause infections and make people sick if ingested. Novick explained that E. coli can enter the water through animal or human waste, and due to Denver's aging infrastructure, sewage leaks can sometimes reach the river. Additionally, all of the city's stormwater eventually flows into the South Platte.
The bacteria thrives in the warmer waters of summer, which also happens to be when people are most likely to want to take a dip in the river. As the river flows downstream to the north, E. coli concentrations increase. In their most recent water quality report, published last October, the DDPHE ranked South Platte water quality as "fair," which is above "marginal" and "poor," but still below "good." In 2022, E. coli levels exceeded the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission's standard year-round, and the river also exceeded standards for arsenic, which is naturally occurring in the bedrock under the city.
On a hot day in June of 2024, Victoria Britto sought relief from the heat by cooling off in the waters of the South Platte River at Confluence Park in downtown Denver. However, the river's pollution is not just from industrial sources. It also suffers from the byproducts of the millions of people who live nearby. Anything on Denver's streets and sidewalks that isn't blown away or picked up eventually makes its way to the river. This includes trash, lawn fertilizers, runoff from roads, pet waste, and oil and grease from vehicles.
Part of the Mile High Flood District's work is to assist local governments in better cleaning stormwater before it reaches the river. This district, founded after Denver's catastrophic 1965 flood, has noticed some positive trends in the river's health. Holly Piza, the district's research and development director, explained that nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen have generally decreased. These nutrients, found in products like fertilizers, can cause algae blooms and harm aquatic ecosystems. However, other water quality issues, such as salinity, are getting worse. Salinity hurts aquatic life and can damage infrastructure.
To try and mitigate the problem across Denver, there are bioretention ponds located outside the Carla Madison Recreation Center on Colfax Avenue. These ponds help retain water after rainfall and filter it through the dirt, instead of allowing all the water to flow immediately towards the river. Both Novick and Piza are urging Denver residents to be more mindful in their actions. They suggest not using fertilizers with phosphorus or nitrogen, not littering, washing cars at a car wash, and making sure sprinklers are watering grass and not pavement.
Novick acknowledged that there is a lot that the city is doing to improve water quality, but they can't be everywhere and do it all on their own. He stated, "We can't be everywhere and do it all." For more Colorado news, sign up for the Mile High Roundup email newsletter.
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