Untreated sewage has entered the flooded San Juan River, according to Navajo Nation officials on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. The contamination poses a public health risk that officials warn could remain in the area long after floodwaters recede.
Navajo Nation Police Deputy Chief Donnie Kee stated during an evening debrief in Shiprock that sewage plants in Bloomfield, Farmington, and Shiprock have been impacted, resulting in sewage being released into the water. Kee advised residents to avoid the river and to wash thoroughly if they come into contact with the water.
James Fitzhugh Jr., the supervisor of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority’s wastewater treatment plant in Shiprock, noted that the facility typically treats approximately 1 million gallons in a 24-hour period. Crews had placed the plant into bypass mode at 11:30 Friday, diverting wastewater into a holding pond that Fitzhugh said is now completely compromised.
San Juan County’s public relations and film manager Devin Neeley reported that sewer systems on the county side were operating again after floodwater inundated the Bloomfield treatment plant. While Farmington’s plant did not shut down, some lift stations experienced problems. Farmington Public Works officials reported earlier Saturday that two lift stations required being shut off when floodwaters overtook them, leading to some neighborhood evacuations.
Brad Greenberg, the medical director of emergency preparedness at San Juan Regional Medical Center, stated that floodwater can contain sewage, animal waste, fuel, pesticides, and household chemicals. He noted that safety cannot be determined by sight or smell and advised anyone exposed to floodwater to remove wet clothing, wash with soap and clean water, and ensure tetanus vaccinations are current.
Livestock owners were advised by Navajo EMS field operations manager Sylvester Nez to provide animals with water from windmills or hauled water instead of the river, and to avoid butchering animals that have been drinking from the river.
Regarding the river's status, Teeley noted that most river gauges have failed or washed away, though one operating upstream near the dam showed a spike around 7 p.m. Saturday. The Shiprock bridge was closed at approximately 3 a.m. Saturday and had reopened by Saturday evening to alternating groups of 10 vehicles, with priority given to emergency vehicles. Crews identified cracks in two bridge pillars, though officials noted these may have existed prior to the flooding.
Unified command officials in Shiprock are scheduled to hold another briefing at 6 a.m. Sunday. Additionally, the San Juan County Department of Emergency Management has scheduled another news conference for noon.
