The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is posting analytical results of water samples taken from emergency water tanks deployed to the Navajo Nation for livestock following the August 5 Gold King Mine release. The samples met all applicable EPA standards and Navajo Nation standards for irrigation and livestock consumption. The results are consistent with those reported by the Navajo Nation to EPA on September 2, 2015.
EPA contractors inspected the tanks and took water samples on September 3. The inspection noted an oil residue in the vicinity of tank #31L’s ladder and on the threads at the base of the overflow pipe, which is used to manage tank overtops and does not backflow into the tank or connect to the water distribution valve. The sample results confirm that water inside tank #31L met applicable standards for irrigation and livestock.
View the sampling results below:
You may need a PDF reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more.- Region 9 Tank Sampling Letter Report (PDF)(19 pp, 2 MB)