The safety of groundwater in Crook County will take center stage this week in Prineville.
Residents concerned about contaminated wells can have questions addressed at a meeting hosted by the Oregon Health Authority on Thursday.
The health authority, Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Agriculture will have representatives present to respond to community and offer options for well owners.
Some residents in rural areas near Prineville have raised concerns about contaminated water coming from their private wells, the health authority said. Concerns include human and animal health, plumbing and appliances, and the odor, taste and appearance of well water.
Contamination source unconfirmed
Most of the complaints are from an area north of Prineville, outside the city limits and not connected to the city’s public drinking water system, said Jonathan Modie, a spokesperson for the health authority. He said it’s unclear how the contamination occurred and what contaminants are in the wells.
“That’s why OHA is working with partner agencies and participating in this meeting to try to better understand the specifics of the problem and what health risks might be,†said Modie.
In March, U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley wrote a letter to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, saying they supported efforts by state agencies to address the alleged contamination. They expressed concern over reports that the contamination was caused by gravel pits owned by Knife River Corp.
“There are significant reports of emerging public health concerns facing the residents near this site,†the senators said in the letter. “They are experiencing black water and elevated manganese and aluminum levels in their well water.â€
Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford said an investigation should be conducted to determine the precise source of the contamination. He wants the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to pay for it.
“We don’t have labs; we don’t have scientists,†he said. “That is where we rely on the state to identify these issues. We have been asking them to do this for over a year now.â€
Residents help requested
Community feedback about health impacts can help the authority test for specific contaminants and could help fund a well water study in the community, OHA said.
Health information shared with the health authority at the meeting will be used for internal purposes and kept confidential, the agency said in a news release.
The consultation will not answer certain questions related to wells, including the origin of contaminants and who is responsible for contaminants in a well, according to the authority. It will also not say if contaminant levels are high enough to harm animals.
Modie said the levels of contamination are unclear and require more testing.
“We need more information about what community members may have already tested for on their own and who else in the community might be interested in participating in a broader, area-wide groundwater study,†said Modie.
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