Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why am I being contacted about testing or retesting the water in my domestic well?
If this is an initial test, please see our educational resources, such as this brochure or this fact sheet, along with this additional information: In 2023, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Morrow and Umatilla Public Health Departments began coordinating a program to help residents in your area get their well water tested with the support of local community-based organizations. Many domestic wells in the area have tested high for nitrate, so it's important to get your well water tested. Nitrate in drinking water above 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) can harm your health and is especially dangerous for formula-fed babies.
If you have tested before, and this is a follow up, the following information can be helpful to know or share: In 2023, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Morrow and Umatilla Public Health Departments began coordinating a program to help residents in your area get their well water tested with the support of local community-based organizations. Yours is one of over 1,900 households to date that accepted the offer of free testing of well water by a laboratory for nitrate and several other common well water contaminants.
OHA, ODHS, and your local county health departments are now offering free retesting of wells to make sure water is safe, or that treatment systems will be effective. This is important because levels of nitrate in groundwater can go up or down depending on seasonal temperatures, rainfall, and increasing nitrate contamination of the groundwater.
What is my water being tested for exactly?
While we are mainly looking for high levels of nitrate, the initial test will also look for these other contaminants: arsenic, calcium, lead, magnesium, total coliforms, and e. coli. OHA also pays for three non-health related tests that can affect the choice of water treatment system: hardness, iron, and manganese.
You will receive all your results in a letter. If there are other contaminants present in your water, you will also be sent fact sheets with more information on those contaminants.
What are the potential health impacts of drinking water with high nitrate levels?
Short-term exposure to high levels of nitrate in drinking water can be dangerous for formula-fed babies and increase the risk of miscarriage for pregnant people. Long-term exposure may increase serious health risks, such as thyroid issues or cancer, for everyone. OHA has a one-pager in English and Spanish with more information about health impacts.
What activities are safe to do when my water has high levels of nitrate in it? Which are unsafe?
Examples of safe activities include bathing, washing food, doing dishes and laundry, and garden irrigation – so long as the water is not being swallowed. Examples of unsafe activities include consuming the water in any form, including using it for baby formula. Do not boil water with high levels of nitrate, as this does not make it safe for drinking.
I have animals who drink from the same well as I do. Do I need to worry about their health too?
For pets: There is little research about safe amounts of nitrate for companion pet(s). The safest thing to do is offer your pet(s) treated or bottled water, especially tiny pets such as guinea pigs, hamsters, and chinchillas. Please consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about your companion pet's health.
For livestock: Please consult your veterinarian with questions about nitrates and livestock (horses, goats, cattle, etc.). A licensed veterinarian should be the initial source of information for your animal's possible health issues.
I've received my test results. What types of additional support and resources am I eligible for?
The resources offered to households are based on the level of nitrate in your water:
Tier 1: OHA is offering households with the lowest nitrate levels the option of a free annual laboratory test though self-sampling
Tier 2: ODHS will collect a new water sample and deliver it to laboratory for testing. They will offer to do this quarterly (every three months) until we have completed one year of testing in every season of the year, to make sure a household's well water does not go over 10 mg/L at any point in the year
Tier 3: Residents in this category should be receiving free water delivery and will be offered a free reverse osmosis (RO) system to help reduce the nitrate in their drinking water. If a treatment system has already been provided, the plumbing company who installed it is required to maintain the systems. They will test the water when they carry out these maintenance tasks to ensure treatment systems are functioning and that the water is safe
Tier 4: Residents should be receiving free drinking water delivery that meets their household's needs. OHA is also offering households with nitrate levels above 25 mg/L the option of a free annual laboratory test though self-sampling
What can I expect during the retesting period? How often will this happen?
The frequency of retesting will be based on the level of nitrate in each household's well water:
| Tier 1 | Yearly
|
| Tier 2 | Quarterly (every 3 months) for 1 year
|
| Tier 3 | Yearly
|
| Tier 4 | Yearly
|
How
will my water sample be collected?
Households in Tiers 1 or 4: OHA is offering households the option of a free annual laboratory test though self-sampling. Residents who choose to collect their own water sample will be provided information on where to pick up their self-sample kit, instructions for collecting the water sample, and the locations to the collection sites for sample and documentation drop off. The kit will also include a prefilled “Chain of Custody" document, which needs to be turned in with the sample.
If a resident requires assistance collecting a water sample, staff with the Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM), a program within ODHS, will schedule an appointment. In this case, the pre-filled Chain of Custody document will be provided to the sample collector with the water collection bottles. OREM field staff will collect the water sample and drop it off at the drop off sample collection site.
Households in Tier 2: ODHS will contact you with an offer to schedule an appointment for them to collect a new water sample and deliver it to laboratory for testing. The state will offer to do this quarterly (every three months) until they have completed one year of testing in every season of the year. This is to make sure your well water does not go over 10 mg/L at any point in the year.
Households in Tier 3: Testing will be done directly by the licensed plumbers who either have or will install your treatment system. They will perform an initial test after installation and additional testing after filters are changed. After testing is complete, the contractor will reach back out to discuss the results and verify that the system is working.
What is the process for retesting after the installation of a RO system?
Plumbers provide post-installation testing, offer maintenance services like filter changes, and collect samples during yearly maintenance for retesting. When samples are taken, they will be delivered to the lab by the plumbing company. The company is also responsible for reporting the results to the household.
Why hasn't an in-home water treatment system been offered to me when someone else in my community is getting one installed?
The resources offered to each household are based on the level of nitrate in your drinking water. The state is providing households with test results at 10 mg/L or more with free bottled water and, where effective, in-home RO systems. Treatment systems provided by the state are certified to remove nitrate up to 25 mg/L. If your test results show nitrate above that level, your household will have to use bottled water until other solutions are found.
I have not received my test results or a letter from OHA, and it has been more than 30 days after my sample was collected and delivered. What do I do?
If you don't receive an additional letter, email, or phone call within 30 days of your nitrate test, please contact the Domestic Well Safety Program (Domestic.Wells@odhsoha.oregon.gov or 541-952-9254).