County extends deadline to apply for nitrate filters

Yakima County is making another push in the program to combat nitrate pollution in individual Lower Yakima Valley drinking-water wells.

County officials on Friday extended to May 31 a deadline for eligible residents to apply for installation of a free water filtration system in their homes.

The program has fallen short of projections despite previous tests indicating that as many as 20 percent of the private wells in the Lower Valley have elevated levels of nitrates, a colorless, odorless compound that poses health risks for infants, pregnant women and the elderly.

Nitrates can reach groundwater from fertilizers and manure applied to farm fields, along with septic tanks.

Since the program launched in January, 110 households have met eligibility requirements for the under-the-sink systems. The county had projected as many as 300 households could be accommodated with the available $300,000 in funding.

Experts have suggested that cultural and language barriers have been obstacles to participation from mostly low-income Latino residents.

County Public Services Director Vern Redifer said the county will post notices at nearly 20 of the largest Lower Valley employers and will call some residents who haven't applied for a system despite tests of tap water that show elevated nitrates.

Levels of 10 parts per million or greater exceed federal standards for safe drinking water.

The county sent out nearly 8,000 information packets in English and Spanish to Lower Valley addresses in January. Of that total, more than 1,700 have returned water test strips included in the packet. Of those, 124 exceeded the 10 parts per million limit.

Those with elevated levels must supply a certified laboratory water test along with an application to be considered for a system.

The most recent county records indicate that 99 of the 146 completed laboratory tests had elevated nitrates.

A news release the county issued Friday said the federal Environmental Protection Agency is offering free certified lab testing for households on private wells in the Lower Valley.

Completed application forms may be mailed to Yakima County Public Services at 128 N. Second St.

A hotline number is available for additional information: 1-855-740-8429.