Oregon DEQ Fines Port Of Morrow

Oregon has fined the Port of Morrow, in the NE corner of the state, $1.3 million for repeatedly over-applying agricultural wastewater on nearby farms in an area that already has elevated levels of groundwater nitrates. The state Department of Environmental Quality made the announcement last week. Under a department water quality permit, the port collects nitrogen-rich wastewater from food processors, storage facilities and data centers at its industrial parks near Boardman. It then reuses it to irrigate farm fields growing potatoes, onions and other crops.

The Port of Morrow is Oregon’s second-largest port, behind the Port of Portland. It is in the Umatilla Basin, where in 1990 the state declared a Groundwater Management Area because of high levels of groundwater nitrates. Groundwater is used as a primary source of drinking water across the basin, which spans northern Umatilla and Morrow counties — including the cities of Hermiston, Boardman, Irrigon, Stanfield and Echo.

“These are serious violations of water quality regulations that are in place to protect public health and the environment,” said Leah Feldon, DEQ deputy director. “The existing nitrate contamination in the basin’s groundwater means everyone in the region has to do their part to reduce this contamination. The Port of Morrow has not been doing its part, and DEQ looks forward to working together to correct these violations and protect our aquifers from future contamination.”

High levels of nitrates in drinking water are linked with serious health concerns, particularly for babies and pregnant women.

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