EPA, DOJ sue 3 Lower Yakima Valley dairies over nitrate groundwater contamination

LOWER YAKIMA VALLEY, Wash. — The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice have filed a federal lawsuit against three dairies in the Lower Yakima Valley, alleging that they failed to control nitrate leaching into the groundwater.

According to the lawsuit filed on June 26 , the Bosma, DeRuyter and Cow Palace dairies collectively have over 30,000 animals.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Vanessa Waldref said dairies generate large quantities of liquid and solid animal waste, which contain nitrogen that can turn into nitrate in the soil.

"Dairies typically spread the manure over cropland and that can be a safe process, except for when it's not done properly, or excessive amounts of nitrogen and manure are spread over this land," Waldref said.

Waldref said when not managed properly, nitrate can migrate into groundwater, contaminating nearby wells.

"That high level of nitrate in drinking water can cause very serious conditions, especially for infants and at-risk individuals," Waldref said. "This can actually impact humans and livestock with the way that our bodies take in oxygen and impact the circulatory system."

In 2013, the dairies reached an agreement with the EPA to implement measures to reduce nitrate contamination. The lawsuit claims they did not fulfill this agreement.

A new motion filed by the plaintiffs asks the court to order the dairies to test nearby wells and provide safe water for residents living within three and a half miles south and southwest of their facilities if their wells test above the EPA's nitrate standard of 10 milligrams per liter.

"This action is taken to expedite the efforts to have our water be safer and address the real concern from Lower Yakima Valley residents who are worried about the health of their families and the safety of their water," Waldref said.

In the meantime, help is available for residents in the affected area.

"The funding that EPA provided to the Department of Health and Yakima County has launched a Safe Drinking Water Initiative to offer free well testing and free drinking water for homes whose wells exceed the safety standard for nitrate," Waldref said.

Residents can learn more by calling the EPA hotline at 509-204-1941 or 888-508-6344.

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