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Make sure your well water is safe

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Do you get your drinking water from a private well in Morrow or Umatilla county?


You can get a FREE well water test if:


map of the LUBGWMA

High nitrate levels (10 milligrams per liter or more) are:

One red box reading unsafe/inseguro with a baby bottle, water from a tap flowing into a glass. ice cubes in a glass, water boiling. Blue box that reads safe/seguro with watering car atering plants, bathtub, clean dishes, a washing machine.

  • High levels of nitrate in the water you use for drinking and cooking can cause long- and short-term health effects. Boiling your water will not remove nitrate, but will make the issue worse.
  • Formula-fed babies are at risk for blue baby syndrome. This serious health condition makes it difficult for red blood cells to carry oxygen. Breast milk is safe for infants even if the water the parent is drinking has high levels of nitrate.
  • There is some evidence that drinking water with high levels of nitrate (10 mg/L or more) can increase the risks of miscarriage and certain birth defects. People who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not drink or cook with water with high nitrate. 
  • There is inconclusive evidence that consuming nitrate at levels of 10 mg/L or more over a long period of time may increase the risk of:
    • Thyroid issues
    • Cancer of the stomach or bladder
For more information about nitrate, visit the LUBGWMA Storymap or Frequently Asked Questions page.

Apply for a well testing voucher:

Use this voucher to get a free well water test. 

Online Well Testing Voucher Application

Contact us to request the application in another language

You will not be asked to share your citizenship status. 


Questions? Call or send a text message to 541-952-9254, or email Domestic.Wells@odhsoha.oregon.gov.