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Nitrate Contamination: Lower Umatilla Basin

​​​​Join your fellow community members and get your questions answered.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Agriculture, Water Resources Department, and Oregon Health Authority invite community members impacted by nitrate in groundwater in the LUBGWMA to attend a public meeting on April 18, 2024, 6 – 8 p.m. at Riverside High School in Boardman.

View the public notice for full details

The public meeting will feature:

  • Question and answer session with DEQ Director Leah Feldon, ODA Director Lisa Charpilloz Hanson, and OWRD Acting Director Doug Woodcock​.
  • Open house-style tabling with DEQ, ODA, OHA, and OWRD

Where: Riverside High School Auditorium, 210 Boardman Ave NE, Boardman, OR 97818

Join via Zoom  
Toll free phone number: 833-548-0276
Meeting ID: 856 5292 5463
Passcode: 219869

Questions asked online will be submitted to DEQ and may not be answered live during the event.

When: Thursday, April 18, 6 – 8 p.m.

  • Spanish language interpretation provided
  • FREE snacks and beverages

Questions? Please email Antony Vorobyov or call 503-887-9113.

En Espanol

Participe junto a los miembros de su comunidad y obtenga respuestas a sus preguntas.

El Departamento de Calidad Medioambiental de Oregón, el Departamento de Agricultura, el Departamento de Recursos Hídricos y la Autoridad de Salud de Oregón invitan a los miembros de la comunidad afectados por la presencia de nitratos en las aguas subterráneas de LUBGWMA a asistir a una reunión pública el 18 de abril, de 6:00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m. en Riverside High School en Boardman.

La reunión pública consistirá en:

  •  Sesión de preguntas y respuestas con Directora de DEQ, Leah Feldon, Directora de ODA Lisa Charpilloz Hanson, y Director en funciones del OWRD, Doug Woodcock
  • Sesión abierta de preguntas y respuestas con DEQ, ODA, OHA, y OWRD

Lugar: Riverside High School Auditorium, 210 Boardman Ave NE, Boardman, OR 97818

Virtualmente

Teléfono gratuito: 833-548-0276
ID de la reunión: 856 5292 5463
Contraseña: 219869

Las preguntas realizadas en línea se enviarán a DEQ como comentarios públicos y es posible que no se respondan en directo durante el evento.

Hora: 6 p. m. a 8 p. m.

  • Se proporcionará interpretación al español.
  • Habrá refrigerios y bebidas GRATUITAS

¿Desea hacer alguna pregunta? Si desea más información, envíe un mensaje de correo electrónico a antony.vorobyov@deq.oregon.gov o llame al 503-887-9113.


Northern Morrow and Umatilla Counties

The Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area includes parts of northern Morrow and Umatilla counties. DEQ designated it a groundwater management area in 1990 because of high levels of nitrate in the groundwater. It's one of three groundwater management areas in Oregon.

Map: Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area

LUBGWMAmapB.png

The Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area Committee is tasked with developing long-term plans to reduce nitrate levels in the area. The committee includes local residents, businesses and government agencies. 

There are many sources of nitrate contamination in the area. The primary estimated source of contamination (about 70%) is from irrigated farmland. Additional contributors are large dairy and cattle farms known as CAFOs (about 13%), animal pastures (about 8%), food processing facilities that reuse wastewater to irrigate fields (about 5%), and residential septic systems and other sources (about 5%). Additional information about sources of contamination and plans for reducing those sources are in the LUBGMWA Action Plan.

Estimated sources of nitrate contamination in the Lower Umatilla Basin, LUBGWMA Second Action Plan

LUBGWMAsources.PNG


Drinking water safety

High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause health problems. This includes respiratory and reproductive diseases, as well as kidney, spleen and thyroid problems. Nitrate is most harmful to infants and people who are pregnant. High levels of nitrate can increase the risk of methemoglobinemia, or blue baby syndrome, especially for infants who drink baby formula mixed with water containing nitrate above the safe level.

If your water is from a private well: The Oregon Health Authority recommends you test your water regularly for nitrate, bacteria and arsenic. These are common drinking water contaminants in Oregon. Water in private wells must be tested during real estate transactions, but otherwise private wells are not regulated in Oregon and water quality is the responsibility of the well user. Find additional information from OHA on well testing and maintenance.

If your water is from a city or community water system: Your water is safe to drink. You don't have to test your water. Public water systems are required to regularly test the quality of their water and ensure it is safe to drink. 

Get a free well water quality test: the Oregon Health Authority is offering residents with private wells in the Lower Umatilla Basin free vouchers to cover testing for nitrate, arsenic, bacteria, lead, iron, manganese and hardness.



Contact

Antony Vorobyov
Public Affairs, Eastern Region
503-887-9113