Waters contaminated by farm runoff in Washington's Yakima Valley and Oregon's Lower Umatilla Basin have led to increasing regulatory crackdowns, sparking resistance from local farmers.
Keith Schneider reports for The New Lede.
In short:
- Nitrate contamination in drinking water exceeds safety limits, impacting 1 in 5 wells in Yakima Valley and many in the Lower Umatilla Basin.
- The EPA alleges large dairies are responsible for the contamination and is seeking court orders for compliance; farmers argue the claims are unfounded.
- Oregon passed strict regulations in 2023 to limit dairy farm expansion and protect residents from contaminated water.
Key quote:
“This is the unavoidable path that the livestock industry has put itself on. Their success at remaining largely unregulated is leading to, frankly, a public health crisis in many places around the country. That just cannot stand in a society like ours.”
— Tyler Lobdell, staff attorney for Food & Water Watch
Why this matters:
Nitrate pollution poses serious health risks, especially for infants and vulnerable populations. As states struggle to balance environmental protection with agricultural productivity, failure to address this issue could threaten public health and water safety nationwide.
Read more: Governor Kotek urged to address water contamination in eastern Oregon
