“Oregon Health Authority unveils long-awaited water testing program in Morrow, Umatilla counties”

By Alex Baumhardt | Oregon Capital Chronicle | March 23, 2023

“The Oregon Health Authority has launched a program to provide free water testing for Morrow and Umatilla county residents who rely on water from potentially contaminated wells.

The program, unveiled Wednesday, marks the first testing program by the state in the two counties and follows criticism of the health authority for being slow to respond to the drinking water contamination. An aquifer that has been contaminated with nitrates from animal manure, food processing and farm fertilizers for more than three decades is the main water source in the area for those who rely on wells.”