The Lower Umatilla Basin's Industrial Symbiotic Model Aligns with Oregon's Climate Goals

The Lower Umatilla Basin and its Industrial Symbiotic model of water and fertilization reuse is a prime example of features of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) draft workplan that was recently presented to DEQ’s Environmental Quality Commission. The workplan provides a path for implementing Governor Tina Kotek’s Executive Order 25-26, which directs state agencies to strengthen the climate resilience of Oregon’s communities and natural and working lands and waters. Promoting and increasing water reuse, reducing waste, and building resiliency are key benefits to how the Lower Umatilla Basin operates. The Basin has a long history of sustainability and collaboration. Going back to 1986, the Umatilla Basin Groundwater Task Force was formed. The task force’s mission was to address groundwater depletion and to develop sustainable water management strategies. The task force then led efforts to pass the Umatilla Basin Project Act. The legislation aimed to improve water resources and ensure long-term water availability to the region. 

In 2008, the Umatilla County 2050 plan was adopted, providing a framework for sustainable water and land use planning to support future growth and environmental resilience. In 2011, the Columbia River-Umatilla Solutions Task Force (CRUST) formed, created to develop innovative water solutions, balancing agricultural, environmental, and municipal needs. In 2012, the Northeast Oregon Water Association (NOWA) was formed to unite stakeholders and advocate for regional water security. In 2019, the Mid-Columbia Water Commission (Mid-C) Formed. The Mid-C is a public entity created to manage mitigation rights, oversee water use assessments, and administer water programs.

Much of the work above was led and continues to be directed by landowners, producers, and local governments in the basin. The private sector has invested millions of dollars to ensure water remains in-stream for fish, tribal water rights are restored, and to protect water sustainability and resilience.

Food Producers and Processors’ Sustainability Model

The colocation of food producers, food processors, and the industrial Port of Morrow is a model for sustainability, and climate and drought resilience. Farmers growing in one of the most agriculturally productive areas in the world provide crops to food processors located at the Port of Morrow (Port). Processors then clean, peel, cut, and/or package foods for local, national, and worldwide distribution. 

The water used by food processors while processing crops is reusable and contains nutrients. Through extensive investments in infrastructure, that reuse water is piped to area farms so that each water molecule and nutrients can be reused. This practice is regulated through a state (non-Clean Water Act) Water Pollution Control Facility permit. 

This model has numerous benefits. These benefits are significant and must be preserved:

Water supply

o   Reuses water to reduce demand on surface waters and groundwater

o   Saved water can be reallocated to in-stream or restoration of tribal water rights

o   Reduces need for water storage, which can lose water through evaporation

Climate

o   Reduces demand for production and transportation of commercial fertilizers

o   Colocation of producers and processors reduces carbon impacts from transportation

o   Processors’ location at the Port provides easy access to several modes of transportation to market

Drought resilience

o   Provides another source of water in times of drought

o   Keeps water in stream or in the ground to allow for flexibility during drought conditions

H2OEO is excited to see how the workplan complements much of the work currently being performed in the Basin and we have offered our experience and expertise to DEQ as it implements the workplan.