TOPPENISH, Wash. – Heritage University is hosting an event on Fri., March 22 with representatives from three different agencies to address the nitrate contamination of private wells in the Lower Yakima Valley.
Community members are invited to hear from speakers from the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE), the Yakima Health District and the Yakama Nation Environmental Management Office.
The speakers will talk about the current state of affairs for nitrate contamination, the work that is being done to fight the contamination and what the public can do.
According to a press release from Heritage University, nitrate contamination can especially harm vulnerable populations like infants, pregnant women, people who are immunocompromised and the elderly.
Current DOE estimates say 21 percent of private wells in the Lower Yakima Valley could have unhealthy nitrate contamination levels.
The event includes a Q and A session along with opportunities for attendees to sign up to get their wells tested.
The special event takes place in the Smith Family Hall on the Heritage University campus, located at 3240 Fort Road. It starts at 1 p.m. and goes until 3:45 p.m.
