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Department of Ecology News Release - October 9, 2009
09-249
YAKIMA – Options for addressing contamination to shallow drinking water wells in the Lower Yakima Valley will be presented during a meeting scheduled for 6-9 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at Radio KDNA, Northwest Communities Education Center, 121 Sunnyside Ave., in Granger.
Nitrates and bacteria levels above state drinking water standards have been identified in shallow wells throughout the Lower Yakima Valley.
The public is invited to comment on the proposals in the draft report, “Lower Yakima Valley Ground Water Quality – Preliminary Assessment and Recommendations Document.”
The report is a joint publication from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Washington departments of Agriculture, Ecology and Health, and Yakima County. Copies of the report will be available at the meeting or it may be viewed online at: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/docs/LowerYakimaValleyReport.pdf.
Comments will be accepted through Nov. 30, 2009. They may be addressed to Ryan Anderson, Washington Department of Ecology, 15 W. Yakima Ave., Suite 200, Yakima, WA 98902, or emailed to rand461@ecy.wa.gov
Nitrate is a chemical found in most fertilizers, animal manure and liquid waste from septic systems. Elevated levels of nitrate in drinking water pose a risk to infants and pregnant women as well as people with a rare blood enzyme disorder. Bacteria transmitted through animal and human waste can cause illnesses that are dangerous even to healthy people.
Over the past year, local, state and federal agencies have worked together with local stakeholders to identify ways to address nitrates and groundwater contamination in the Lower Yakima Valley.
“Tackling groundwater pollution is a daunting prospect. No one agency has the authority or resources needed to solve problems associated with private drinking-water wells,” said Tom Tebb, central regional director for Ecology. “However, each agency and each community member can take part in helping to solve the problem.”
Some next steps identified in the report include beginning a sampling effort to link potential sources and contamination, and to identify best management practices for reducing nitrate contamination. In addition, the report recommends that local leaders form a coordinating body, such as that found in Groundwater Management Areas or Sole Source Aquifer Protection Areas in other parts of the state.
Comments from the community will be incorporated into a final report, which will provide recommendations to decision makers. The report is expected to be completed early next year.
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Media Contacts:
Ryan Anderson, Washington Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program
509-575-2642; rand461@ecy.wa.gov
Joye Redfield-Wilder, Washington Department of Ecology communications manager
509-575-2610; jred461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
