Frequently Asked Questions

In 2011 the Washington Department of Ecology granted a request by Yakima County to create a special study area and establish an advisory committee to find solutions to prevent contamination and protect residents who might be exposed to high levels of nitrate in their drinking water. The area is known as the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area.

In the short-term, the goal is to educate people about the problem and provide information on how they can protect themselves. The long-term goal is to reduce nitrate concentrations in groundwater to below state drinking water standards. This will be accomplished by using available and new data collected in the valley to prevent continued groundwater pollution and make sure residents have clean and safe drinking water.

The Groundwater Advisory Committee (GWAC) is a multi-agency and citizen-based group that is coordinating the effort to reduce nitrate contamination in the groundwater within the lower Yakima Valley. The GWAC is responsible for developing the Groundwater Management Area Program.

The goal of the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area is to reduce nitrate contamination concentrations in groundwater below state drinking water standards. The target area extends from Union Gap to County Line Road in Yakima County, Washington, minus the Yakama Nation.

The full committee meets at least every other month. In addition, the Groundwater Advisory Committee has organized itself into 7 working groups that also meet regularly to develop the Groundwater Management Area Plan.

Yes, meetings are open to the public. The public is welcome to attend both the full Groundwater Advisory Committee meetings and working group meetings.