S. Deschutes/N. Klamath Groundwater Protection Project

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• Background
• Public Involvement & Meetings
• Additional Information

Most wells tap into an aquifer within 50 feet of the ground surface. The aquifers have no natural barriers to the ground surface and are very vulnerable to contamination from the surface. Nitrate contamination of groundwater aquifers is a problem in several areas of Oregon, as can be seen from the map showing the results of testing from real estate transactions between 1989 and 2008.

The La Pine area shows a clear area of contamination. In some areas of Oregon, the contamination comes from a combination of agricultural chemicals, animal waste and septic systems. In the La Pine area, the major source of contamination is septic systems. 

The contamination comes from the discharge of nitrate from septic systems. Groundwater in the southern Deschutes and northern Klamath aquifer is becoming contaminated with the nitrate at unsafe levels. Infants and pregnant or nursing women are especially vulnerable to increased nitrate levels. High levels of nitrate may also cause other health problems.

To protect the quality of the drinking water in the aquifer, Deschutes County passed an ordinance in 2008 requiring upgrades on all septic systems; voters overturned the ordinance in a special election in March 2009. Deschutes County has asked DEQ to take the lead to resolve the issue. At a meeting in July 2009, the public raised many questions about how to best approach the issue. The questions touched on a variety of issues and depending on the questions, different agencies have responded. DEQ has compiled the questions and answers.

• Questions and Answers PDF