Help for wells may be on way

YAKIMA -- Filtration systems for Lower Valley homeowners with wells polluted by nitrates should start being installed in January under a plan outlined Wednesday by Yakima County.

The county hopes to provide filter systems to 400 homes, Public Services Director Vern Redifer said.

Eligibility will be determined through a survey mailed to thousands of homes in December. A series of public meetings to explain the program will follow later that month. Dates and locations for the meetings haven't been established.

"We want to make sure they have as much information as they need to make an informed decision," Redifer said.

The county received a $400,000 state grant to attack the problem on the heels of a Yakima Herald-Republic series in 2008, "Hidden Wells, Dirty Water," which described how the contamination problem had been ignored for years.

The series prompted the federal Environmental Protection Agency to conduct well tests early this year that concluded as many as 1,800 private wells may be contaminated with levels of nitrates that exceed the federal drinking water standard.

Nitrates pose health risks for young children, pregnant women and those with a serious health conditions.

Possible sources of nitrate contamination include manure from animal feedlots, fertilizers, septic tanks, industrial waste and food-processing waste.

Redifer said the surveys will help the county identify those eligible for a filtration system.

The filtration systems will be installed under kitchen sinks where residents obtain water for drinking and cooking. It's likely the units will be attached to a separate faucet for water solely for consumption.

Redifer said homes eligible for help must have a well with a nitrate level above the drinking water standard, include occupants considered a high risk from exposure and be considered low-income.

Homeowners will need to obtain a certified well test that will show the level of contamination. The EPA's standard for nitrate is 10 parts per million.

Since the available funds aren't expected to cover all who need filtered water, other criteria will be applied. For example, homes with the highest concentrations will be served ahead of others.

County commissioners will seek bids from companies that want to install the systems.

* David Lester can be reached at 509-577-7674 or dlester@yakimaherald.com.