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July 25, 2024
Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov
OHA marks 100th water treatment system installation milestone
OHA, partners continue efforts to protect families with high levels of nitrate in domestic well water
PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and partner organizations have recorded more than 100 free water treatment systems installed in households in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area, or LUBGWMA. As of June 30, OHA’s vendors had installed 111 systems and are working to install additional systems to help address high levels of nitrate in some domestic wells.
The LUBGWMA spans northern Morrow County and northwestern Umatilla County and was designated by the state due to high nitrate in groundwater that supplies domestic wells.
Nitrate in well water is a potential health hazard, and nitrate levels above 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) are considered dangerous for human consumption. Pregnant people and babies face the greatest risk. The state has offered free laboratory tests of well water to LUBGWMA residents since 2023.
Residents are encouraged to continue testing their domestic wells’ nitrate levels. OHA recently announced a retesting effort to ensure that households near the 10 mg/L limit are monitored.
Households with a nitrate test result above 10 mg/L are eligible for free water delivery. For households whose well water tests higher than 10 mg/L but below 25 mg/L, the state will also provide free installation and maintenance of one in-home reverse-osmosis system. OHA requires that systems be certified to reduce nitrate levels to safe for drinking. There are no kitchen-tap treatment systems certified to remove nitrate at levels above 25 mg/L.
State rules require treatment systems be installed by licensed plumbers. OHA’s vendors go beyond installing treatment systems and provide ongoing maintenance and replacement of filters. Vendors also collect a water sample for laboratory analysis of the water from the tap after installation, to guarantee that the water is safe for consumption.
“We are grateful to the plumbers who have helped us reach this milestone and we continue to look for ways to install these systems at a faster pace,” said Gabriela Goldfarb, OHA Environmental Public Health section manager. “We appreciate the patience of residents who are waiting to get their treatment system and we know the wait is not easy.”
Questions? Contact the OHA Domestic Well Safety Program at Domestic.Wells@odhsoha.oregon.gov or call 541-952-9254 and visit testmywell.oregon.gov to learn about free safe water services for residents of northern Morrow County and northwestern Umatilla County.
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