Last updated on Jun 09, 2026

Case Study → Water Contamination from Industry, Colorado (Edexcel A-Level Geography): Revision Notes

📚 Revision Notes

Case Study \to Water Contamination from Industry, Colorado Context ● Gold King Mine ● Occurred in the Animas River ● Caused by breaching a tailings dam while attempting to drain ponded water near the entrance of the mine ● 2015 • 1.35 mil m³ of contaminated water was released during mine clean-up operations ● The EPA has taken responsibility for the incident, but refused to pay for any damages claims filed after the accident on grounds of sovereign immunity Consequences ● The river was closed to recreation for a period of time ● Residents with wells in floodplains were told to have their water tested before drinking or bathing ● People were told to avoid contact with the river ● People were advised to move farm animals away and stop fishing in the area Colorado Mining Water Contamination: Orange Water

Context	● Gold King Mine ● Occurred in the Animas River ● Caused by breaching a tailings dam while attempting to drain ponded water near the entrance of the mine ● 2015 • 1.35 mil m³ of contaminated water was released during mine clean-up operations ● The EPA has taken responsibility for the incident, but refused to pay for any damages claims filed after the accident on grounds of sovereign immunity
Consequences	● The river was closed to recreation for a period of time ● Residents with wells in floodplains were told to have their water tested before drinking or bathing ● People were told to avoid contact with the river ● People were advised to move farm animals away and stop fishing in the area

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