Opinion ID: 3158134
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Wardens Milyard and Falk4

Text: Mr. Duncan alleges that Wardens Milyard and Falk (1) knew about the polluted water, (2) did nothing to correct the problem, and (3) refused to allow him to drink unpolluted water from 1999 through 2013.5 We note the following in support of these allegations: Sterling’s notice of elevated uranium levels was distributed to consumers on February 21, 2008, and the city’s notice of elevated trihalomethane levels appears to have been distributed in July and August 2012. Because SCF’s drinking water is supplied by Sterling, it is reasonable to infer that the wardens received these notices. And because the notices in 2008 and 2012 advised consumers to drink water from an alternative source to avoid serious health risks, including cancer, kidney and liver damage, and problems with the central nervous system, one can infer that the wardens knew about the contamination and the attendant health risks as of 2008. This knowledge, coupled with Mr. Duncan’s allegations that the wardens did nothing to abate the risk of harm (the Raemisch memo indicates that alternative drinking water was not provided to SCF inmates until 2013), states a plausible claim that Wardens Milyard and Falk were deliberately indifferent. We 4 Mr. Duncan alleges that Warden Milyard “was the Ex-Warden” and Warden Falk “is the Warden now at [SCF].” R. at 10. 5 Mr. Duncan also alleged that Warden Falk ordered that contaminated water be trucked in from Cañon City, but, again, we need not credit this allegation to the extent it asserts the water from Cañon City was polluted. 11 therefore reverse the dismissal of the Eighth Amendment claims against them and remand those claims to the district court to determine the wardens’ liability, if any.6