YAKIMA, Wash.-Three lower Yakima Valley dairies north of Granger have been ordered to conduct well testing and provide bottled water to nearby communities at risk of nitrate-contamination from nearby wells as part of a preliminary injunction granted in U.S. District Court.
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against dairies in the lower Yakima Valley in June of 2024 under the Safe Drinking Water Act alleging that the dairies contributed nitrate to the area’s groundwater and contaminated drinking water wells.
Vanessa Waldref, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington announced the preliminary injunction on Dec. 19.
“Strong and fair enforcement of public health and environmental laws protect our families and make our region safer and stronger,” said Waldref.
Under the injunction, three lower valley dairies must test drinking water wells in an area up to 3.5 miles from the dairies and to provide and maintain reverse-osmosis water treatment systems or bottled water to homes where this testing finds nitrate levels above 10 milligrams per liter.
According to a DOJ press release, the dairies must also immediately conduct groundwater monitoring and test a lined lagoon for leaks.
To be in compliance with the court order, the three dairies must submit a plan for testing wells within 30 days and must complete testing within 60 days of the Environmental Protection Agency approving the plan.
Residents near the dairies can find out if their wells are affected and accept offers for well testing through the EPA’s Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater webpage or call the EPA hotline at 509-204-1941.
“Everyone deserves access to clean, safe drinking water,” said Waldref.
