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Oregon Health Authority

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? Make sure it's safe.

Your well water quality might be dangerous to your health

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




You can get a FREE test if

You will not be asked to share your US citizenship status. You can receive services no matter your status.




Apply for a Testing Voucher

Use your testing voucher to get a free well water test.

Online Well Testing Voucher Application

Request the application in another language

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

One red box reading unsafe/inseguro with a baby driking from a 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.  

Why should I test my well water?

  • High levels of nitrate in the water you use for drinking and cooking can cause long- and short-term health effects. A high level of nitrate = 10 milligrams per liter of water (mg/L) or more.

  • Infants fed baby formula mixed with water that has high levels of nitrate are at risk for blue baby syndrome. This 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.
  • People who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not drink nitrate-contaminated water. There is some evidence that drinking water with high levels of nitrate can increase the risks of miscarriage and certain birth defects.
  • There is also weak and inconclusive evidence that long-term consumption of nitrate above 10mg/L may increase the risk of:
    • Thyroid issues
    • Cancer of the stomach or bladder
Fact Sheet: Nitrate and your health
A spigot with water flowing 
A person rolling two blue water jugs on a dolly

FREE Household Water Delivery

We will sign you up for free bottled water delivery if your test results show 10 mg/L of nitrate or more.

Is my home in the area receiving services?

Search for your location using the online map tool or view the map below.


map of the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGMWA)

Map of the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGMWA)