Surface Water Quality Program
Don’t Just Go With The Flow…
Be Unique…Stay Out of Creeks!
Creeks and rivers may seem like inviting places for recreation, but don’t let the seemingly calm, clean-looking waters fool you. Creeks and rivers can pose serious health risks, and caution should always be used around any untreated surface water.
What are some of the dangers associated with creeks and rivers?
- Flash Flooding – According to the Center for Disease Control, flooding is the leading cause of weather related deaths in the United States. An adult can be knocked over and swept downstream when the water is only 6 inches deep. Even shallower flows can be dangerous for children. Storms can cause the water level of Fountain Creek to rise significantly due to increased runoff. This makes wading or playing in the Fountain Creek especially dangerous this time of year, as many thunderstorms pass through the watershed and can dump large amounts of water into the creek. This can transform the waters from a quiet trickle into a raging flow.
- Contamination - Despite outward appearances, many creeks and streams may be contaminated with harmful chemicals, bacteria, or other disease causing organisms. Exposure to these contaminants can make a person sick. Results of recent tests conducted by the Pueblo City-County Health Department indicate that the amount of the bacteria E. coli in the Fountain Creek are at a level above the health standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Health Department is also monitoring Wildhorse Creek, which is listed by the state for exceeding the recreational contact limit for E. coli.
E. coli is used as an indicator of stream health. It is a type of bacteria that is found in the intestinal tract of 
people and other warm-blooded animals. The presence of E. coli in a stream means that the water has been polluted with human or animal waste. Even though most strains are harmless to people, at least one is known to cause severe intestinal problems in humans and can even be fatal. Thankfully, people rarely contract E. coli poisoning through recreational water use. However, if E. coli is present in a creek that means that other disease causing organisms may also be present. These can make a person sick if they are exposed to them, such as by coming in contact with untreated water like the water found in creeks.
Hidden Dangers - Creeks can hide hazards like large rocks, slabs of broken concrete, broken glass, or rusty metal. If you’re wading in the water and step on something sharp or scrape your leg, you could end up in the hospital in need of stitches or with a nasty infection.
BE SAFE! Stay Out and Practice Good Hygiene
In order to reduce the risks associated with exposure to untreated waters, like that of Fountain Creek, the Health Department recommends the following:
- Do not allow children or pets to play in the creek, nor allow children to play with toys that have been in contact with the water.
- Individuals who have come into contact with the water should wash their hands frequently with soap and clean, warm water. If clothing or shoes get wet, they should be removed and washed in warm water.
- If a person is exposed to the water and has open wounds, they should contact a physician or local health department for guidance regarding receiving tetanus and/or other immunizations.