One Year Later, These Are Some of the Ways the Nitrate Reduction Plan is Succeeding

September 2025 marked exactly one year since the Oregon Nitrate Reduction Plan was launched, and we are excited to see the significant volume of work being performed as part of the Plan’s implementation. For those who are unfamiliar with the details or simply need a refresher, the Plan outlines the numerous methods the state of Oregon plans to employ to reduce groundwater nitrates in the Lower Umatilla Basin.  The Plan contains commitments from four state agencies: The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), and the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD). While much of the Plan requires collaboration between these agencies, it also outlines the work that needs to be done by each agency individually.

As we just passed the one-year milestone of this important document, we think it’s an appropriate time to look at what has been accomplished to date as well as some of the results the community can expect in the short and long term.  

OHA has conducted, and is continuing to conduct, well owner education and outreach, well water testing, provision of alternatives supplies of clean water, and installation of water treatment systems in eligible homes. To date, OHA has conducted over 2,000 well tests and installed over 250 water treatment systems throughout the Basin.

As recently as last week, ODA concluded the rulemaking process for a new rule section governing agricultural water quality in the Lower Umatilla Basin (read more about the rulemaking). The rule requires farmers in the Basin to develop nitrate management plans, conduct soil sampling, and compare plan to performance. Though many modern farms have been using nitrogen management plans and advanced technologies to responsibly and efficiently manage nutrients and irrigation for many years now, the rules establish across-the-board requirements for farmers in the Basin. ODA is working through these rules, as well as its Strategic Implementation Area process, to work directly with farmers on nutrient management.

The Oregon DEQ is continuing to update permits, conduct groundwater monitoring, and analyze nitrate trends in the Basin. DEQ has also clearly stated it is the lead agency in the LUBGWMA process, helping coordinate and communicate the many activities being conducted in the Basin to address nitrates.

Finally, OWRD is conducting drinking water well inspections and requiring backflow prevention devices to make sure drinking water wells themselves are not transporting nitrates to groundwater. A shallow or poorly constructed well can pull water from the wrong parts of the aquifer and allow surface pollutants to move into groundwater.

Beyond the Nitrate Reduction Plan, the 2025 Oregon Legislature updated the GWMA process to provide clear direction to agencies and communities. This strengthened process will provide clear accountability and responsibility when addressing groundwater quality.

Though not specifically part of the Plan, there are also promising county-led efforts under way throughout the region to connect residents to existing drinking water infrastructure.

H2OEO and its members have been working in close collaboration with state agencies and local partners on many pieces of the Plan and will continue to do so. We are committed to the success of the Plan and the wellbeing of our community.  

Please read more about the Nitrate Reduction Plan and the LUBGWMA.