Grantee Research Project Results

2024 Progress Report: Morrow County – Drinking Water Contamination Investigation in Northeast Oregon

EPA Grant Number: EM840650
Title: Morrow County – Drinking Water Contamination Investigation in Northeast Oregon
Investigators: Mabbott, Tamra
Institution: Morrow County, Oregon
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2023 through September 30,2024
Project Amount: $1,700,000
RFA: Congressionally Directed Spending (2023)
Research Category: Groundwater, Contaminants, Treatment , Aquifer , Drinking Water

Objective:

The goal of the project is to protect public health by developing drinking water action plans to provide safe drinking water for domestic well users impacted by address elevated concentrations of nitrate the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGWMA). The project objectives are to evaluate where connections to existing community water systems are feasible and to identify other alternatives for providing clean drinking water where connection is not feasible to impacted well users in the project area.

Progress Summary:

Objectives consistent with the scope of work and schedule were achieved during the reporting period. In particular, the project team successfully completed the following Stage 1 tasks in line with the project goals: (1) completed the project setup and engaged with key stakeholders, state agencies representatives, and formed an advisory project Steering Committee; (2) completed a Data Management Workplan and developed a webmap tool to facilitate data visualization for use on the project; (3) completed a Communications Workplan for public outreach, input, and education for the project and conducted outreach activities (Umatilla County Fair and targeted stakeholder event) to increase awareness of the project for upcoming field sampling at targeted domestic wells; (4) began processing existing water quality and hydrogeologic data to develop a project conceptual model; (5) conducted an initial (survey-level) review of public water system information and completed a workshop with the Steering Committee and key stakeholders and state agency representatives to discuss hydrogeology, nitrate distribution, drinking water connection concepts, and identified focus areas for confirmation sampling and developing initial PWS connection options; and (6) developed and submitted a draft QAPP to EPA and received approval (on October 3, 2024) from EPA to finalize the QAPP.

Preliminary findings from the hydrogeologic model have identified seventeen “focus areas” for further investigation, with data processing linking well data and water quality information continuing. Six of the focus areas have been prioritized to evaluate connection (water service extension) to adjacent public water systems (PWS). These areas have also been identified for the initial well sampling for confirmation of data from previous nitrate testing. Preliminary public water system data have been compiled and are under review for developing treatment options and service extension at focus areas of study within the LUBGWMA.

The project team has also been working with EPA and state agencies on data-sharing, data collection, and communications with the residents and public in the LUBGWMA.

In July 2025, the project will move to Stage 3, focusing on follow-up sampling and evaluating alternate drinking water options for areas where water service extension from PWS are not feasible. This will involve refining evaluations and recommendations for both PWS and non-PWS solutions.

Future Activities:

In the next reporting period, the project will transition into Stage 2, which will focus on targeted sampling and analysis of wells in potential service extension areas identified during Stage 1, as well as wells in data gap areas. The primary objective is to evaluate the feasibility of extending existing PWS services to specific focus areas. The primary tasks include: (1) conduct sampling following the protocols established in the QAPP to confirm and refine the characterization of nitrate in groundwater in the focus areas; (2) implement an outreach plan prior to sampling, engaging with local communities and stakeholders to raise awareness about the upcoming activities, as well as update the public on feasibility of water service extension options; (3) assess the viability of PWS service extensions, including preliminary review of implementation issues for select focus areas; and (4) sharing the preliminary water service extension feasibility with stakeholders and the public.

Supplemental Keywords:

nitrate, domestic well, drinking water, groundwater, northwest, Umatilla River Basin, Oregon