Legal Question in Environmental Law in Colorado

contaminated water

I live in an apartment on private property. The landlord owns a excuvating company next to my apartment. They had a diesel fuel spill that leaked into our well water. I called the fire deaprtment and they tested the water and confirmed the spill and told us not to drink, cook with the water. The landlord admitted the spill and it happened 3 weeks ago and shut the well off, but someone accidently turned it back on. We noticed a decrease in water pressure around 3 weeks ago the same time the spill happened. We asked why there was no water pressure and they said they were having problems with the pump, but they shut down a well they polluted and seems to me they were trying to cover up the spill. They said we could get out of our lease. Are they at least responcible for our moving expenses? Is there a crime here?


Asked on 6/14/00, 1:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Patrick Tracy Patrick J. Tracy, Esq, P.E.,

Re: contaminated water

In common law the company would be responsible for your moving expenses. I am not a member of tyhe Colorado bar so I cannot comment on this area. You would probably have to sue them for your moving expenses.

The local environmental regulatory agency would be responsible to supervise the cleaning of the property.

Hope that this helps.

Patrick Tracy

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Answered on 8/07/00, 6:58 am


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