EPA v. Yakima Valley Dairies

Case summary

EPA Region 10 has reached agreement with four central Washington dairies to address high levels of nitrate in the underground source of drinking water beneath and downgradient of the dairies. Monitoring well sampling by EPA shows nitrate in area groundwater as high as 190 mg/L (the MCL is 10 mg/L). The dairies’ animal waste handling practices contribute to the elevated levels of nitrate in the groundwater. The dairies have agreed to provide alternative water supply to affected residents within one mile downgradient of the dairies, implement source control actions, install monitoring wells and conduct quarterly monitoring for eight years to evaluate progress in reducing nitrate levels in the drinking water aquifer.

Defendants (1)

• Yakima Valley DairiesNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (5)

• COW PALACE DAIRY

  1631 N LIBERTY RD, GRANGER, WA, 98932

  Registry ID: 110015560061

• H&S BOSMA DAIRY

  823 N LIBERTY RD, GRANGER, WA, 98953

  Registry ID: 110010900392

• D AND A DAIRY, LLC

  5121 DEKKER RD, OUTLOOK, WA, 98938-9733

  Registry ID: 110015537249

• LIBERTY DAIRY

  5860 E ZILLAH DR, GRANGER, WA, 98932

  Registry ID: 110015546060

• GEORGE DERUYTER DAIRY

  5121 DEKKER RD, OUTLOOK, WA, 98938

  Registry ID: 110015537249

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1431-PWS — Emergency Powers/PWS

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Yakima Valley Dairiesentered 2013-03-19

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2013-03-06Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2013-03-19Final Order Issued