Local anger swells at EPA over toxic gold mine spill in Animas River

Townspeople demand explanation over long-term effects of 3m gallons of waste to water supply, as Colorado and New Mexico make disaster declarations

Townspeople watching millions of gallons of orange-colored mine waste flow through their communities demanded clarity on Tuesday about possible long-term threats to their water supply.

Colorado and New Mexico made disaster declarations for stretches of the Animas and San Juan rivers and the Navajo Nation declared an emergency as the toxic waste spread downstream toward Lake Powell in Utah.