Yakima, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice filed a Complaint in federal district court alleging three large dairies located north of Granger in the Lower Yakima Valley failed to adequately control nitrate contamination from their operations.
This nitrate contamination may affect the drinking water wells of nearby community members. High levels of nitrate in drinking water can be harmful, especially for infants, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions.
The dairies generate large quantities of liquid and solid animal waste, which contains nitrogen which can turn into nitrate in the soil. Nitrate can migrate into groundwater if not managed properly.
In the complaint, EPA alleges these dairies, which collectively have over 30,000 animals, have failed to comply with a legal agreement they entered into with EPA in 2013 which aimed to reduce nitrate leaching from their facilities and protect downgradient residents with nitrate contaminated well water. This agreement included requirements that the dairies provide a drinking water alternative to residents that use private drinking water wells with high levels of nitrate, control potential sources of nitrogen at the dairies, and conduct quarterly groundwater monitoring.
“Protecting access to safe drinking water for everyone in the Yakima Valley is critical for public health and a high quality of life for our region,” stated Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “Strong and fair enforcement of environmental and public health laws ensures a healthy and safe community for all families to live, learn, play, and work.”
EPA is working with state agencies to reduce high levels of nitrate found in groundwater supplies throughout the Lower Yakima Valley and has provided funding to the Department of Health to increase groundwater and air quality education and outreach in the Lower Yakima Valley, which includes free well testing and free drinking water for homes in Yakima County whose wells exceed EPA’s health-based standard for nitrate of 10 mg/L.
“I urge residents and community members who rely on wells located south and southwest of these dairies to get their wells tested for nitrate,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “When we protect our water, we protect our families and our entire community.”
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant/respondent: Three large dairies located north of Granger in the Lower Yakima Valley
Exact criminal charges: Environmental Law Violation
City and state: Yakima, Washington
Exact date: N/A
Sentence or outcome: Ongoing investigation
Facts:
These dairies have failed to comply with a legal agreement they entered into with EPA in 2013. The agreement aimed to reduce nitrate leaching from their facilities and protect downgradient residents with nitrate contaminated well water.
Related Federal Cases
- Anthony Nguyen, Trafficking Endangered and Invasive Fish, Pennsylvania 2020 · Texas
- Christian Matthew Manley, Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding Law Enforcement Officers, Washington 2021 · Washington
- Florida Man, Assaulting Law Enforcement, Washington DC, 2021 · Wisconsin
- Cohen, Assaulting Law Enforcement, Washington DC, 2021 · Connecticut
- Adrian Schmidt, Obstruction of Law Enforcement During Civil Disorder, Washington 2021 · District of Columbia
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Environmental Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Environmental CrimesEnvironmental CrimesEnvironmental CrimesEnvironmental Crimes