Lower Yakima Valley nitrates in drinking water – Washington State Department of Ecology (.gov)

Report on Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management and Sustainable Development Goal Alignment

1.0 Introduction: Addressing Water Contamination in Alignment with SDG 3 and SDG 6

• Groundwater in the Lower Yakima Valley exhibits elevated nitrate levels, posing a significant challenge to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The lack of safe drinking water for some well users directly contravenes Target 6.1, which aims for universal and equitable access to safe drinking water for all.
• This contamination presents a direct health risk, particularly to vulnerable populations such as infants, pregnant individuals, and persons with specific medical conditions. This issue is a primary concern under Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), specifically Target 3.9, which seeks to reduce illnesses from hazardous chemicals and water pollution.
• In response, a multi-agency effort has been initiated within a designated Groundwater Management Area (GWMA), located along the I-82 corridor from Wapato to Grandview, to mitigate contamination and ensure public health and safety.

2.0 Strategic Interventions and Progress Towards SDGs

2.1 Water Quality Monitoring and Data Collection (SDG 6.3)

• To support the improvement of water quality by reducing pollution (Target 6.3), a comprehensive monitoring program is in place.
• Since 2021, regular nitrate level measurements have been conducted in 170 wells, including 34 newly installed monitoring wells, to track contamination trends and assess the efficacy of interventions.
• As of June 2025, an additional 1,059 wells were sampled to expand the data set on nitrate contamination throughout the region. This data is critical for evaluating progress towards clean water objectives.

2.2 Pollution Source Control and Sustainable Practices (SDG 12, SDG 15)

• To promote SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and protect terrestrial ecosystems under SDG 15 (Life on Land), efforts are focused on reducing nitrate inputs at their source.
• Water quality permit requirements have been updated to prevent nitrate discharge into groundwater from agricultural and food processing facilities, mandating responsible management of manure and wastewater.
• Educational outreach is provided to farm owners and gardeners on sustainable fertilizer and manure application to minimize nitrate leaching and protect groundwater resources.
• Inspections of farms are conducted to ensure compliance with regulations for waste storage lagoons and manure stockpiles.
• Composting requirements are being strengthened to prevent nitrate contamination released during decomposition, aligning with sustainable waste management practices.

2.3 Infrastructure Improvement for Water and Sanitation (SDG 6, SDG 11)

• To build sustainable communities (SDG 11) and improve sanitation (SDG 6), significant investments are being made in water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Collaboration with municipalities is underway to expand public sewer and water systems, reducing reliance on private septic systems which can be a source of nitrate pollution.
• Assistance is provided to cities for the replacement and maintenance of aging sewer systems and wastewater facilities to ensure adequate containment of nitrates.
• A septic loan program continues to facilitate the cost-effective repair and replacement of failing residential septic systems.

2.4 Provision of Safe Drinking Water (SDG 6.1, SDG 3)

• Immediate actions have been taken to ensure access to safe drinking water (Target 6.1) and protect public health (SDG 3).
• Free bottled water was regularly delivered to 146 households with documented high nitrate levels in their well water.
• A total of 130 free home filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis units, have been installed in affected residences.
• Studies are being conducted to evaluate long-term, sustainable solutions, including the development of community wells and connecting private well users to public water systems.

3.0 Guidance for Residents to Support Water Quality Goals

Community participation is vital for achieving water and sanitation goals (Target 6.b). Residents using private wells are advised to take the following measures to protect their health and contribute to the collective effort of preserving groundwater quality:

1. Conduct annual testing of well water to monitor for contaminants. Public water systems are tested by the utility, but private wells are the owner’s responsibility.
2. Utilize safe alternatives such as bottled water or certified filtration systems if high nitrate levels are detected. Boiling water is not an effective treatment and can increase nitrate concentration.
3. Maintain a minimum 100-foot distance between the wellhead and potential contamination sources, including fertilizers, pesticides, fuel, oil, animal waste, and septic tanks.
4. Ensure the wellhead seal is intact and that both the well and septic system are maintained in good operational condition.
5. Avoid disposing of chemicals, such as cleaning supplies and paints, down drains to prevent groundwater contamination.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The article’s primary focus is on the contamination of groundwater with nitrates in the Lower Yakima Valley, which makes the water from private wells unsafe to drink. This directly addresses the core mission of SDG 6, which is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Efforts described, such as monitoring water quality, reducing pollution sources, and providing safe drinking water alternatives, are central to this goal.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article explicitly connects nitrate contamination to specific health risks, stating that nitrates “make it harder for blood to deliver oxygen in babies, pregnant people, and people with conditions like anemia or heart disease.” It specifically mentions “blue baby syndrome” as a potential health outcome. The entire initiative to provide clean water is framed as a public health measure to prevent these illnesses, aligning with SDG 3’s aim to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The article identifies the sources of nitrate contamination as “human and animal waste, fertilizer, or commercial activities.” It details actions to promote more sustainable practices, such as educating farmers on safe fertilizer use, updating water quality permits for facilities, and strengthening composting requirements. These actions are aimed at ensuring sustainable production patterns by managing waste and chemicals responsibly to prevent environmental pollution, which is a key aspect of SDG 12.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article discusses infrastructure improvements as a solution to the contamination problem. Specifically, it mentions working with cities to “expand public sewer and water systems so fewer homes use septic systems” and helping to “replace aging sewer systems.” This relates to SDG 11 by focusing on providing access to basic services like safe water and sanitation, which are essential for creating inclusive, safe, and sustainable communities.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

1. Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • The article highlights a lack of safe drinking water for well users in the Lower Yakima Valley. The response, which includes delivering “free bottled water to 146 households,” installing “130 free home filtration systems,” and studying “alternative drinking water sources,” directly aims to achieve this target for the affected population.
2. Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
   • The article describes a long-term strategy to “reduce the overall amount of nitrate entering groundwater.” This is being done by updating permit requirements to prevent nitrate discharge, educating farmers to minimize fertilizer pollution, inspecting waste storage ponds, and improving sewage infrastructure, all of which contribute to reducing water pollution at its source.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
   • The entire effort is geared towards preventing illnesses caused by nitrate-contaminated water. The article notes that “doctors are required to report cases of blue baby syndrome, and to date none have been reported,” demonstrating a focus on preventing and monitoring illnesses resulting from water pollution.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
   • The plan to “expand public sewer and water systems” and replace failing septic systems is a direct effort to improve access to the basic services of sanitation and safe drinking water for the community, which is a core component of this target.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

• Nitrate levels in well water: The article explicitly states that progress will be measured by monitoring contamination levels. It mentions, “We have been regularly measuring nitrate levels in 170 wells… If these wells show lower nitrate levels over time, we’ll know that our strategies to reduce contamination are working effectively.” This serves as a direct indicator of water quality improvement (Target 6.3).
• Number of households with access to safe water: The article provides specific numbers, such as “delivered free bottled water to 146 households” and “installed 130 free home filtration systems.” These figures act as indicators for the proportion of the population being provided with safely managed drinking water services (Target 6.1).

For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

• Incidence of waterborne diseases: The article implies a health-based indicator by stating, “doctors are required to report cases of blue baby syndrome, and to date none have been reported.” The number of reported cases of this specific illness serves as a direct measure of the health impact of water contamination (Target 3.9).

For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

• Number of households connected to improved infrastructure: The article’s goal to “expand public sewer and water systems” and run a “septic loan program” implies that progress can be measured by the number of homes that are newly connected to public systems or have had their septic systems repaired or replaced. This would be an indicator of improved access to basic services (Target 11.1).

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ecology.wa.gov