ALAMOSA, Colo. (AP) - Alamosa officials say a reservoir that may have been the starting point for a salmonella outbreak last year was already scheduled to be taken offline at the time.

Salmonella in the city water system was blamed for one death and hundreds of illnesses. Colorado health officials say the likely source was animal waste that got into the underground reservoir.

City officials say a new water treatment plant was under construction at the time of the outbreak, and that plans called for retiring the reservoir.

The officials say a 1997 inspection of the reservoir found some chipping, flaking and cracking in the reservoir walls but that the structure was in satisfactory condition.

Officials say construction of the water plant was taking up most of their attention.