Update 4-15-13: Denver Post: Plume has reached drinking water supplies.
Original post (3-22) from The Denver Post: An underground plume of toxic hydrocarbons from an oil spill north of the Colorado River near Parachute has been spreading for 10 days, threatening to contaminate spring runoff.
Vacuum trucks have sucked up more than 60,000 gallons, but an unknown amount remains in the ground by Parachute Creek.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday was in the process of formally ordering the Williams energy company — which runs a gas-processing plant on the creek — to do all in its power to protect surface water. State regulators who on Friday ordered the same now are preparing to issue Williams a “Notice of Alleged Violation” and demand a long-term cleanup plan.
A cattleman who runs a herd along the creek said such spills are common and often remain secret. State records show the oil-and-gas industry causes hundreds of toxic spills each year and that water often is contaminated. More…
