More than 80 public health and environmental organizations, including groups from Oregon, have sent a letter to federal regulators urging them to protect drinking water by taking action against nitrate pollution created by industrial agriculture.

In 2020, an Oregon coalition filed a similar emergency petition to address severe nitrate groundwater contamination in Morrow and Umatilla counties.

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Tyler Lobdell, senior staff attorney for the advocacy group Food and Water Watch, said nitrate levels in these parts of Oregon have only increased since then.

"The state of Oregon needs to stop protecting polluters and needs to protect Oregonians and provide safe drinking water for all," Lobdell urged. "And if Oregon's not gonna do it, then the U.S. EPA must step in to protect public health."

Research shows Oregon’s mega-dairies produce enough manure to fill 2.5 Olympic pools daily. When spread on fields, nitrates can contaminate local wells. Nitrate poisoning reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen and can increase the risk of cancer, thyroid problems and reproductive issues.

A recent report found about one in five Americans’ drinking water contains nitrates. Lobdell noted the letter called on regulators to identify and stop the sources of the pollution without burdening taxpayers.

"We are calling on the agencies to put the blame where it lies, and that is with the polluters," Lobdell emphasized. "and start making polluters pay so that we can get this problem under control."

Lobdell added groups are asking for federal grants and other funding so affected communities can create systems to protect themselves from nitrate pollution.