The Columbia Basin Ground Water Management Area of Adams, Franklin, Lincoln and Grant Counties, Washington

The Columbia Basin Ground Water Management Area or GWMA is a pro-active, voluntary, local planning effort to reduce nitrate in groundwater, and is intended to lessen the need for mandated control measures through the creation of a groundwater management plan to reduce nitrate levels in the groundwater of the GWMA.

The Columbia Basin GWMA was formed in 1998 by locally elected leaders and citizens of Adams, Franklin, and Grant Counties in response to scientific data that indicated the presence of nitrate in concentrations above what is considered naturally-occurring levels for this area of 10 mg/L.  Lincoln County became a participating member of the GWMA in 2005.

GROUNDWATER IS A CRITICAL RESOURCE FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE COLUMBIA BASIN AREA OF WASHINGTON STATE.

Groundwater in Adams, Franklin, Grant and Lincoln Counties, provides nearly 100% of the drinking water for local citizens and communities.  The susceptibility of the major aquifers within the Columbia Basin aquifer system to nitrate leaching has been at the cornerstone in the formation of the Columbia Basin Ground Water Management Area or GWMA.  Elevated nitrate levels above the acceptable federal drinking water standard of 10 parts per million (ppm), have been detected in the groundwater of Adams, Franklin and Grant Counties.   Local citizens and elected leaders petitioned the Washington State Department of Ecology to designate this area as a Ground Water Management Area in accordance with state codes (WAC 173.100.120).In 1998, the Washington State Department of Ecology formally designated the tri-county area of Adams, Franklin and Grant Counties as a Ground Water Management Area.  The GWMA designation offers a method for local citizens and government to work together in the development of a Ground Water Management Area Plan, which offers sound locally based, workable solutions to achieve ground water protection. 

A GRASSROOTS EFFORT

The Columbia Basin GWMA is a pro-active, voluntary, local planning effort working to reduce nitrate concentrations in the groundwater of Adams, Franklin,  Grant and  LincolnCounties, Washington.  The GWMA is a forum for local citizens to develop locally based solutions to the nitrate issue and to lessen the need for mandated control measures through the creation of a groundwater management plan.       

Hundreds of local citizens, stakeholders, technical advisors and consultants volunteered close to 50,000 hours of their time to examine and study all potential sources of nitrate.  These concerned citizens participating through Ground Water Advisory Committees made up of representatives from urban and rural residents, land use planning, public health, irrigated and dryland agriculture, food processing, dairy, feedlot and cattlemen groups, municipal drinking water and wastewater systems, small rural water systems, private well owners, and environmental and recreational interest, developed specific best management practices and recommendations designed to meet the needs of the local area to reduce nitrate in the Columbia Basin Aquifer System.  The result of their efforts may be found in the Columbia Basin Ground Water Management Area Plan (GWMA Plan).

The GWMA Plan has been formally adopted by the Boards of County Commissioners of Adams, Franklin, Lincoln and Grant Counties and was certified by the Washington State Department of Ecology in December 2001.  The goal of the GWMA Plan is to minimize the occurrence of nitrate in the Columbia Basin's groundwater.  Related elements include groundwater characterization and monitoring, and public information and education on water quality issues.  Implementation of several projects and studies outlined in the Plan began prior to its adoption and certification.  These projects and studies are being utilized to educate the community on best management practices beneficial to the farming and residential communities of the GWMA.

THE GOAL OF THE GWMA IS TO REDUCE NITRATE IN GROUNDWATER

Nitrate levels above the federal drinking water standard of 10 ppm have been observed in almost all areas of the Columbia Basin.  With a commitment toward improving and maintaing the quality of our ground water, the source of nearly 100% of the drinking water for the citizens of this area, GWMA participants developed the GWMA Plan to reduce nitrate levels in the aquifer system lying beneath the GWMA.  The GWMA Plan is non-regulatory and relies on the voluntary implementation of its recommendations and is not regulatory.

WHY IS THE COLUMBIA BASIN GWMA WORKING TO REDUCE NITRATE?

Nitrate is an essential element of life and is found in almost every living thing.  Nitrate can enter the soil through fertilizers and through human and animal wastes.  When nitrate reaches ground water, the source of nearly 80% of the drinking water for Columbia Basin residents, excessive nitrate can be harmful to infants and some adults. Nitrate is considered to be an acute contaminant, because short-term exposure to levels above the maximum federal groundwater contaminant level of 10 ppm can cause an illness known as Methemoglobinemia, (or its more commonly known name as Blue Baby Syndrome), a blood disorder in some sensitive individuals such as infants of six months of age or younger.  These individuals are at a greater risk because they have lower stomach acidity, a higher proportion of fetal hemoglobin, a high liquid diet per body weight and higher than normal incidences of physical symptoms that lower stomach acidity.  Infants under one year of age should not drink water with nitrate levels exceeding the drinking water standards.

If your drinking water comes from a private well, instead of a publicly-owned or municipal water system, it is recommended that you have your water tested for nitrate on a regular basis.  You may contact your local health department for information on where to obtain testing.  You may also take a sample of your well water to a local certified laboratory and for a small fee they can analyze your water for nitrate-nitrogen (NO3N).     Taking a water sample:  Turn on faucet, let water run at least 5 minutes to clear water pipes of standing water, collect water sample.  Use a freshly washed container.  Pickles or other acidic vegetables or fruit should not have been stored in the container. Rinsed the container thoroughly with the running water and collect at least 4 oz. of water.  Store water sample in a cooler or refrigerator until taken to the screening location.  Sample should not be taken more than 24 hours prior to screening.

OUR ORGANIZATION / ADMINISTRATION

Lead Agency:  The Lead Agency, consists of the Boards of County Commissioners of Adams, Franklin, Lincoln and Grant Counties, oversees the activities of the GWMA.  Please view our Organizational Chart here !

GWMA Administrative Board:  The Administrative Board oversees the day to day operations of the GWMA and performs the administrative functions of implementing the GWMA Plan and the GWMA projects, studies and programs.  The Board is made up of six members, one county commissioner representative from each of the three Board of County Commissioners of Adams, Franklin and Grant Counties, and one citizen member from each of the three counties.

GWAC Executive Board:  The GWAC Executive Board is made up of one county representative (representing each of the three counties) from each of the five Ground Water Advisory Committees for a total of fifteen members.  The Board is the governing body of the GWACs and serves as the official body of the GWMA for the purpose of maintaining the direction of the GWACs in meeting the goals of the GWMA Plan.

Ground Water Advisory Committees:  A diverse group of over 100 local area volunteer residents forms the following Ground Water Advisory Committees (GWACs) that represent five nitrate sources of concern:
    *    Irrigated and Dryland Agriculture GWAC
    *    Sprayfield and Wastewater Management GWAC
    *    Dairy, Feedlot and Cattlemen GWAC
    *    Urban and Rural Residential GWAC
    *    Environment and Recreation GWAC
The purpose of the GWACs is to research groundwater quality and water resource issues, provide input to the GWMA Executive Board and the GWMA Administrative Board process, and to develop recommendations for the GWMA Plan. Read more here...

Community Producer Groups:  The areas within Adams, Franklin and Grant Counties of the GWMA have been divided into 17 Community Producer Groups (CPGs).  The CPGs are grouped geographically by soil type, predominant irrigation system, natural boundaries and communities.  The CPGs provide input and involvement in the GWMA process.  Grant County has nine CPGs, Franklin County five, and Adams County three. See the map to the right. Read more here...

Conservation Districts, Health Districts and County Governments:  The staff of the Adams, Franklin, Grant,  Lincoln, and Warden Conservation District, the county Health Districts and the county governments of Adams, Franklin Grant and Lincoln Counties provide the technical support for the implementation of the programs of the GWMA Plan.

The Columbia Basin Ground Water Management Area
449 E. Cedar Blvd.
Othello, WA   99344
509-488-3409

For more information regarding GWMA contact Carol Miller
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