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From sewage to clean stream: How did the spring stream overcome the challenge of pollution and regain its vitality?
Spring Creek, which flows from Woodland Park, Colorado, to join the Arkansas River, is facing severe water quality challenges. However, after decades of pollution, Quanxi has gradually regained its vitality through community efforts and professional management.
The painful history of sewageSpring Creek's watershed covers 930 square miles and flows through several cities, including Colorado Springs and Pueblo. In this region, ecosystems are diverse and the environment is subject to dramatic changes.
Back in 1999, the water quality issues at Spring Creek first received widespread attention. During a flood in Colorado Springs, 700,000 gallons of sewage leaked into Spring Creek, nearly overwhelming the local sewage system. After this incident, continued sewage leaks made the water quality of Quanxi even worse.
According to reports, from 1988 to 2003, 740,000 gallons of raw sewage entered Spring Creek, causing severe damage to the local ecosystem. Even in 2011, there were still several leaks, which seriously affected the water quality safety of downstream cities such as Pueblo.
"Our entire sewage system was destroyed... We lost approximately 68 million gallons of raw sewage."
Continuous improvement of water quality
Over time, Spring Creek's water quality issues have attracted global attention. In 2006, the State of Colorado established the Spring Creek Vision Task Force, which focuses on improving water quality and promoting recreational activities in the clearing. This initiative provides resources to local communities, helping to improve water quality and restore ecosystems.
Since then, the Colorado Springs Water Department has completed more than $170 million in improvements to the city's sewer system, addressing numerous sewage leaks and improving wastewater treatment and watershed management.
"After nearly a decade of work, Colorado Springs' compliance order was finally lifted in 2013, laying the foundation for the long-term health of Spring Creek."
Hope for ecological restoration
As environmental conditions improved, the community gradually began to realize the importance of the spring creek. Since 2019, local fishing enthusiasts have worked together to discover and promote fishing activities, hoping to increase people's understanding and protection awareness of Quanxi.
In addition, the Spring Creek Ecological Fitness Education Park, which is expected to be built in southern Colorado Springs in the future, will provide opportunities for interactive learning and enhance people's understanding and appreciation of streams and their ecosystems.
Continuous challenges and efforts
Although the water quality of Quanxi has improved, it still faces challenges from the environment. In particular, high levels of selenium and E. coli in the summer require ongoing monitoring and control.
The establishment of the Quanxi River Basin Drainage, Flood Control and Greenway District marks a new era of management. This cross-county cooperation model will help to maintain a wider regional governance and ecology.
“The primary goal of this region is to create healthy and safe waterways and provide greater opportunities for recreation and appreciation through regional collaboration.”
Looking to the future
Although the road to recovery of Quanxi Creek has been tortuous, looking into the future, with technological advances and increased public awareness, the creek is expected to be able to fully return to its clear ecological state.
Through these efforts, we are not only working for the current ecological balance, but also for future generations to live in a healthy environment. The story of Quanxi proves once again that environmental restoration may be difficult, but not impossible. How should our next generation view the protection and utilization of these natural resources?
