Fish die outside water treatment plant

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Two state agencies investigated into what could have caused a massive fish die-off in the Rio Grande just outside of the Southside Water Reclamation Plant in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Officials found out a piece of equipment malfunctioned at the plant causing some chlorinated water to flow out into the river which caused the death of the fish.

The inlet is a popular fishing spot about a half mile south of the Rio Bravo bridge.

"We thought it was going to be a good day [fishing,] then we saw two float by," said Keith Sullins, who was fishing at the time when he started to see the dead fish. "As soon they floated by, there was just dead fish everywhere. They were floating by, one about every five seconds. There was just dead fish everywhere.”

Sullins pulled a few fish out and said he took a water sample.

The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Authority investigated, but a test at 1 p.m. showed the water was normal at that time.

Sullins, who said he’s been fishing in that same exact spot for 30 years, didn’t think the water was normal.

"What we noticed was, there's particles in there where there's never been before," said Sullins. "It's always been really, really clear water. “But as we were watching the fish, there’s just chunks of debris coming through that look like everything from toilet paper, I’ve seen wrappers, just debris.”

The New Mexico Game and Fish Department is also investigating.