The Animas River reopened for recreational use Friday afternoon in La Plata County, Colorado, where an EPA crew polluted the waterway last week with mine waste, authorities said.
Sheriff Sean Smith announced the reopening, but authorities noted a state health advisory that people shouldn’t drink untreated water from the river and should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water if they contact any sediment and surface water.
“The data show levels of contamination are below what would be a concern for human health during typical recreational exposure,” the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said.