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Local group and Central Washington researchers warn of groundwater problems near dairies
Summary
Friends of Topglish Creek and Central Washington University scientists described longstanding groundwater contamination and a planned study to map aquifers and test distribution-system and household wells; presenters said previous permitting allowed expansions and county inspections found far more animals on a site than permitted.
Jean Mendoza, executive director of Friends of Topglish Creek, told the council that community members are concerned about the cumulative impacts of nearby concentrated animal feeding operations on local well water. "We believe there are too many cows in too small an area," Mendoza said, and described a 2015 permitting episode in which Yakima County issued a determination of significance under the state environmental-review process for a proposed 6,000-hutch calf operation, leading the applicant to withdraw and later return with a smaller proposal.
Hydrogeologist Gary Gonzas of Central Washington University said a philanthropy-funded project will map subsurface aquifers and sample wells within and near town to identify where water is "good" or "bad" and whether distribution-system issues may be affecting tap water. Graduate student Abe said stage two will include door-to-door sampling to isolate contamination hotspots in the distribution system. Friends of Topglish Creek and the university plan to coordinate with the Department of Ecology and local residents and invited citizen participation; presenters said county inspectors had documented many more animals than were allowed at one facility during recent follow-up visits.
