Granger plans well-contamination meeting

GRANGER -- Residents are invited to join a public meeting Wednesday in Granger to discuss proposals to reduce contamination of Lower Yakima Valley wells.

The three-hour meeting -- called by the federal Environmental Protection Agency -- begins at 6 p.m. at Radio KDNA, Northwest Communities Education Center, 121 Sunnyside Ave.

Nitrates and bacteria levels above state drinking water standards have been identified in shallow wells throughout the Lower Valley. Authorities say about 12 percent of domestic well users in the Lower Valley are exposed to nitrate levels that exceed health standards.

Over the past year, local, state and federal agencies have worked together with local stakeholders to look for ways to reduce the contamination. Their recommendations are in a draft of a report will go policy makers by early next year.

Wednesday's meeting will be an opportunity for residents to add their input to the report, copies of which will be available at the meeting. It can also be viewed online at: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/docs/LowerYakimaValleyReport.pdf.