Nitrate groundwater contamination is common in agricultural areas throughout Oregon and the U.S. However, high levels of nitrate in drinking water is linked with serious health concerns, particularly for infants and pregnant people. There are many sources of nitrate contamination in the Lower Umatilla Basin, making it a complex problem with no simple or quick solution.
The State of Oregon is committed to reducing nitrate contamination. Through a combination of monitoring, point source reduction, and regulatory management, this work is being carried out collaboratively between state agencies, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), Morrow and Umatilla Counties, city governments, businesses, residents and community groups.
Oregon Nitrate Reduction Plan
State agencies developed the Oregon Nitrate Reduction Plan, a joint plan to reduce sources nitrogen pollution in the LUBGWMA, to get groundwater concentrations below seven milligrams per liter.
Groundwater Nitrate Trend Analysis
The LUBGWMA Well Network Groundwater Nitrate Trend Analysis summarizes groundwater nitrate concentrations and trends from a network of 33 wells within the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area sampled over a period of 32 years.