The Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) is a community-based effort working to reduce nitrate concentrations where many citizens rely on groundwater as their drinking water source. Our staff is providing technical and research support for the effort. Initial studies indicate 12 percent of private domestic wells have elevated concentrations of nitrate.
Our staff provide ongoing technical assistance, monitoring, research, and education and outreach to help find strategies to improve groundwater quality in the Lower Yakima Valley.
Led by Yakima County, the program was initiated in response to nitrate contamination found in drinking-water wells in the valley. The goal is to implement strategies to bring aquifers into drinking water standards, as well as educate citizens about the problem and provide information on how they can protect themselves. Additional information about the Lower Yakima Valley GWMA is available on our Lower Yakima Valley groundwater quality page.