Officials will dig deep for solutions to dirty wells

ZILLAH -- Federal officials launched an unprecedented effort here Thursday to attack the long-standing contamination of shallow drinking wells relied on by thousands of low-income rural residents in parts of the Lower Yakima Valley.

But it quickly became clear that the job could be lengthy, complicated, costly and certain to pit a go-slow, soft approach against getting tough on polluters.

"I didn't bring a resolution," Marie Jennings of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told about 20 farmers, homeowners, dairy producers and more than 30 midlevel managers from 15 local, state and federal agencies gathered at the Zillah Civic Center.

"I've learned I've stepped into the middle of some very large issues that many of you wanted resolved years ago."

The EPA didn't provide a timeline for what it might do next or publicly detail its options, which range from ordering polluters to provide clean drinking water to financing the construction of public water systems for people on private wells.

Among those attending the meeting was Norma Solano, who spends $200 a month for bottled water for her Outlook home. She said she doesn't want more tests on her well or pitches from salesmen peddling expensive filtration systems.

"I just want the government to do something," Solano said.

The problem has been known for years. A reputable study six years ago found one in five of 195 wells tested in rural areas around five Lower Valley communities roughly between Zillah and Grandview had nitrate levels above federal safety limits.

Despite the evidence of contamination, an investigation by the Yakima Herald-Republic showed that a host of state and local agencies has been unwilling or unable to tackle the problem.

While nitrate contamination can result from overuse of commercial farm fertilizer and even from failing septic systems, suspicion has focused on dairy and livestock operations. The Lower Valley has 72 dairies and 74,000 milk cows, the densest concentration in the state.

Manure is rich in nitrates, which can travel freely through water and can stay in soil for decades.

In a letter to the EPA, the 480-member Washington State Dairy Federation recommended creating a groundwater management area, a legal entity that would have to be created and funded by the state Legislature and professionally managed.

One such area developed in four mid-Columbia Basin counties focuses on modernizing irrigation and farming practices, extensive mapping of groundwater flows, well testing and public education. It is overseen by a board of county commissioners, citizens and farmers.

But some community activists want quicker and firmer action, saying Thursday that the dairy industry's manure-management practices are the most serious and well-documented source of nitrate pollution and should be heavily regulated.

Critics, such as Harrah resident Jan Whitefoot, told the EPA on Thursday to bring out its maximum regulatory firepower, such as heavy fines to help pay for a massive cleanup and the construction of public water systems.

Others called for comprehensive well testing and extensive community outreach for Spanish-speaking households who may not be aware their water is contaminated by nitrates, pesticides and bacteria.

At elevated levels in drinking water, nitrates can post risks to infants, pregnant women, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

The Lower Yakima Valley is home to many migrant and seasonal farm workers. The dairy industry also employs many Latino herdsmen.

"A lot of our community doesn't know what's going on and we blame the dairies," said Blanca Bazaldua of Mabton. "We need information about the problem in understandable language so we can help each other."

Others pointed out that farmers liberally applied nitrogen-rich commercial fertilizer for decades because it was inexpensive and particularly good for the sugar beet crop that used to dominate many fields.

"The abuse of nitrogen over the years is our harsh legacy," said Walt George of Sunnyside, a longtime Lower Valley conservation district board member.

But agencies responsible for fixing that legacy problem and regulating and enforcing current water quality laws don't work together.

"The agencies don't communicate, which leaves us citizens running from person to person feeling like a rat in a maze," said Helen Reddout of Granger, founder and leader of Community Association for Restoration of the Environment.

Reddout urged regulators to get tough with large feedlots and dairies that milk thousands of cows in confined areas, storing manure in lagoons and applying it to crops.

"We don't need more studies. We need enforcement."

But the dairy industry said other users of nitrogen must also be held accountable, including golf courses, homeowners and lawn-care companies. Dairy farmers are the only ones who must keep records and submit to inspections, Jay Gordon, the federation's executive director, said in a news release.

Part of the problem confronting regulators is a lack of information. For example, no one knows how many wells in the Lower Valley are abandoned and uncapped, which makes them perfect conduits for pollutants to reach groundwater supplies.

"I live in Outlook and see houses torn down and fields or orchards put in and I wonder what happens to the well? Is it capped?" said Teodora Martinez-Chavez, coordinator of El Proyecto Bienestar, or the Well-Being Project. The Granger-based project identifies and responds to occupational and environmental health threats faced by farm workers and their families.

Martinez-Chavez, who has lived in Outlook for 30 years, scoffed at EPA's suggestion that residents take advantage of free well testing by water filtration companies.

"I don't want the Culligan man. I want comprehensive testing and education for parents about the health effects on kids."

Editor's note: Thursday's EPA meeting was prompted by a series of stories in the Yakima Herald-Republic published in October -- "Hidden wells, dirty water." The stories, which examined how nitrate contamination of groundwater has been largely ignored, can be found at www.yakimaherald.com/dirtywater.