Mesa County commissioners just greenlit a new contract worth up to $108,691 with Wright Water Engineers to keep testing water quality in streams north of the Colorado River. The move comes as state regulators push harder standards for selenium, iron, and E. coli, and local leaders say meeting those rules will take a massive community effort.
The year-round sampling will give Mesa County its own solid data to guide future cleanup decisions and prove progress to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
Why These Streams Landed on the State Watch List
For years, 13 stream segments north of the Colorado River have sat on Colorado’s 303(d) list for high selenium and iron levels. Two more, Leach Creek and Adobe Creek, are listed for E. coli.
The problems trace back largely to the area’s geology. Irrigation water pulls naturally occurring selenium out of Mancos Shale soils and carries it into ditches and streams. Iron follows similar pathways. E. coli shows up from a mix of wildlife, livestock, pets, septic systems, and sometimes homeless camps.
Carrie Gudorf, Mesa County’s regulatory programs manager, calls the state’s new requirements “a huge lift” because no state or federal grants cover the work. Everything comes out of local budgets and volunteer sweat.
Pinpointing the Sources with New Science
This latest contract builds on years of earlier monitoring. Crews now use microbial source tracking (MST) markers, developed with the U.S. Geological Survey, to figure out whether E. coli is coming from humans, dogs, cattle, birds, or other animals.
“That helps us target the right fixes instead of guessing,” Gudorf said.
Early results show dog waste and failing septic systems play bigger roles than many residents assumed.
Who’s Paying and Who’s Working Together
The monitoring costs are split four ways:
- Mesa County
- City of Grand Junction
- City of Fruita
- Mesa County Valley School District 51
- Grand Valley Water Users Association
Together, the partners collect samples every month, even in winter, to catch seasonal changes and storm runoff spikes.
Wright Water Engineers will handle lab analysis, quality control, and annual reports that go straight to CDPHE.
Small Actions That Add Up Fast
Residents often feel helpless against “natural” pollution, but county officials insist everyday choices matter.
Pick up dog waste every single time.
Fix leaking septic systems promptly.
Support streambank planting and stabilization projects.
Reduce fertilizer use near ditches.
Report illegal dumping or muddy runoff from construction sites.
“Those little things compound,” Gudorf said. “We’ve already seen E. coli drop in some spots just from better pet waste habits and a few septic repairs.”
Looking Ahead
If data keeps trending positive, several stream segments could come off the impaired list within the next five to ten years. That would spare local governments millions in future treatment mandates and protect the Grand Valley’s reputation for outdoor recreation and agriculture.
The work is expensive, unglamorous, and slow, but the payoff is water our kids and grandkids can fish, irrigate, and play in without worry.
What’s your take? Have you noticed changes in local creeks or ditches over the years? Drop your thoughts below, and if you’re active on X or Instagram, use #CleanGrandValleyStreams so we can keep the conversation going.
