Drinking Water Source Monitoring Report/Results

Oregon state agencies are working to reduce risks of contamination to public water supplies. We believe that safe drinking water supplies will increasingly depend upon reducing the contamination in the source waters. This is important for reducing the future costs of treatment and reducing the health risks associated with the contaminants that are not monitored and/or removed through existing regulatory requirements. Standard drinking water treatment technologies may not be adequate for contaminants in sources of drinking water such as new synthetic chemical compounds, strong microbial pathogens, and pharmaceuticals in the waste stream. In order to move forward on a stronger prevention program, we are collecting data on the source waters in Oregon that serve public water systems.

Phase I Drinking Water Source Monitoring: 2008-2009

In 2008-09, DEQ and DHS developed and implemented a sampling plan for source waters upstream of surface water intakes and at groundwater extraction wells serving public water systems. The priorities for the Phase 1 DW Source Monitoring Data were based on data previously collected as part of the Source Water Assessment project, as well as the Statewide Susceptibility Analysis. The list of chemical compounds analyzed for were selected based on technical literature, data on chemical usage, and input from technical experts. The analytes included many chemicals that are not addressed in the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
 
For results of the 2008-09 monitoring:

• Full Report PDF
• Oregon Insider Article on Drinking Water Source Monitoring PDF
• Summary in the DHS Public Health Division “Pipeline” publication - Volume 25, Issue 1 Winter 2010 PDF

Phase II Drinking Water Source Monitoring: 2010-2011

Phase II of the project has been initiated but results will not be available until late 2010 or early 2011. Phase II monitoring will include public water supply locations with nearby sources of potential contaminants, and those that have had consistent high levels of nitrates or other contaminants in their raw water sources. Data generated from the sampling in the source areas will provide information on where to prioritize state resources for preventing the contamination of the source waters used for public systems. There is no obligation on the part of the public water system or community to engage in follow up activities, but they will be invited to participate to the extent their resources allow. We are looking forward to working on this next phase of source water monitoring and will post results as they are available.

Agency contacts for more information:

• Sheree Stewart, DEQ, (503) 229-5413
• Dave Leland, DHS, (971) 673-0405