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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Natural Resources Committee
April 6, 1999
The meeting was called to order at 10:06 a.m. by Committee Chair Connie Hoag in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present: Absent:
Kathy Sutter None
Tom Brown
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
UPDATE REGARDING WATER TESTING IN NORTHERN WHATCOM COUNTY
(AB98 -156)
Regina Delahunt, Health and Human Services Environmental Services Manager, stated
that she submitted a summary sheet updating issues related to the North County groundwater and
what has been done from January — March 1999. Health assessments are going on in the North
County. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) completed the health consultation
they did to address the fumigant issue and nitrate exposure. The report is available. The results
were that the nitrate in the water is the primary cause for concern. They suggested that
individuals with private systems monitor frequently for nitrates. They should also consider a
new source if levels exceed 5 milligrams per liter (mg /1). They have been able to map all of the
nitrate results in the County from 1991 to 1999.
Hoag stated that she heard they recommended a new source if higher than 10 mg /l.
Delahunt stated that it is 5 mg /1. They recommended considering an alternative water source if it
exceeds 5 mg /I because there is not a large safety margin in the nitrate maximum contaminant
level (MCL). At 10 mg /l is where the effects can be seen. The major health impact is on infants,
pregnant women, and small children. DOH also took a look at fumigants. They determined that
the MCL set presently is protective. They don't expect any deleterious health outcomes from
exposure to the fumigants at or below the MCLs in drinking water. They recommend individuals
with water above the MCL seek an alternative supply. They also stated that showering and
cooking with water exceeding the fumigant MCL is not recommended. They also gave
recommendations to lower exposure, including drinking bottled water, limiting shower and bath
time, and ensuring the bathroom is well ventilated. As a result of the health assessment and the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) report, the County asked them to
do a field investigation to validate the shower assumptions. They did an exposure investigation.
They found 2 residences with highest level of 1,2, DCP. In one residence, the level is at 10 parts
per billion (ppb) in the water. The MCL is 5 ppb. When they ran the shower for 10 minutes, the
concentration was at 27 ppb in the air. In the second residence, the concentration in the water
was 26 ppb. When they ran the shower for 10 minutes, the concentration in the air was 26 ppb.
After 20 minutes, it was 45 ppb. The next day, they implemented strategies. In the first home,
they turned on the exhaust fan and reduced the flow rate. They got a 61% reduction in
concentration, with a level of 13 ppb. In the second house, they installed a carbon filter on the
showerhead and a low flow showerhead. They got a 95% reduction in air concentration. Carbon
filters work well. The level went from 26 ppb to 1.3 ppb after 10 minutes. They also calculated
Natural Resources Committee, 4/6/99, Page 1
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whether or not the inhalation would pose a health risk. In the second house, they calculated the
higher concentration and determined a health risk. They determined that if the level is above the
MCL in the water, they should use strategies to reduce the levels.
Brown asked about the cost of carbon filters and where they can be purchased. Delahunt
stated they can be purchased anywhere for about $20. They have to be maintained. There is also
a concern about bacterial growth in the showerhead.
Hoag asked if all residences have been notified and given carbon filters. Delahunt stated
that the State Department of Ecology (DOE) is providing those via a contractor.
Joan Pelley, DOE, has a contractor who has installed a dozen filters and intends to get the
rest done this week. The cartridge filters need to be replaced every three months. The
residences will be reminded via postcards and phone calls. Residents are being instructed how to
install the filters.
Delahunt stated that they determined which residences have ever exceeded the MCL.
That is the information that DOE is using.
Brown asked if there is help for those that are low- income who don't have well tests. He
questioned how the Health Department list was generated. Delahunt stated that they went back
to their records and used information shared by owners. There may be wells that the County is
not aware of
Brown asked if there is grant funding to provide assistance to have wells tested.
Delahunt stated there is not at this point.
Sutter stated it is all geared toward sampling and finding alternative water sources. She
questioned what is being done about the source of the problem. Delahunt stated that the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did their investigation and found no evidence of illegal
activity. There are three main sources of nitrates. It is a wide spread problem. The three general
sources are manure, on -site septic systems, and agricultural chemicals. All of those sources exist
in northern Whatcom County and in British Columbia.
Sutter stated that it is not as productive to take care of the symptoms and not the source.
Delahunt stated things are being done on a regional basis. British Columbia officials and County
officials have discussed what needs to be done. They need to be proactive and implement
strategies to stop the problems they have caused.
Chuck Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, stated that the manure ordinance
was proactive and addressed a good portion of the nitrate pollution in the groundwater. The
County Council action is a big step in the right direction.
Sutter asked if they will continue to do sampling and see if it does any good. Delahunt
stated that this is going to be a long -term issue.
Hoag stated that the Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation
Services (MRCS) have been working, along with the Washington State University Extension
office, with the farmers to balance nutrient loads. It is working. In her situation, nitrate levels
were over 50, and the MCL is 10. Those offices worked with a neighboring farmer, and now her
levels are below 10. The problems can be resolved and they are doing a good job working on it.
Natural Resources Committee, 4/6/99, Page 2
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Benjamin stated that there is a border issue with British Columbia. DOE may already be
in communication with Canada. Addressing the issue locally isn't the total answer. They have
to look beyond that.
Hoag stated that the levels at the border near her home were lower than the levels where
her well is located.
Brown questioned whether there is a trend of pesticide contamination following an
aquifer flow. Delahunt stated that with the fumigants, the problems are localized. It looks like it
is related to certain fields.
Benjamin stated they must keep separate the pesticides and the nitrates. They are
different issues.
Delahunt stated that U.S. Geological Service (USGS) did some testing across the border.
They did have some detection across the border, but there is not any kind of a trend. The entire
aquifer is not contaminated. There are pockets related to past application practices. The
contamination locations for 1,2 DCP are in two main areas. There was detection on Northwest
Road, which was surprising because it was outside of the area, but wasn't surprising when they
looked at the area because it was next to a berry field agricultural area.
Hoag stated that the contaminated areas on the map appear to be berry farms. Delahunt
stated that is true. In addition to potatoes, it was used on strawberry and raspberrys.
Brown stated that the family he knew of lived near the Northwest Road. They were
advised not to use their well for drinking or bathing. Delahunt stated that they want to look more
closely at that area.
Hoag stated that 1,2 DCP replaced EDB. Delahunt stated they were used simultaneously.
There were two different fumigants. 1, 2 DCP was used longer and is also present in low
concentrations. The one fumigant that they still use has 1,2 DCP at lower concentrations.
Sutter asked if there was money in the State budget for septic upgrades. She questioned
whether septic systems are suspect in these areas for nitrate contamination. Delahunt stated that
in this area the soils are permeable. There are two problems. One is there are heavy soils that
don't absorb the water, and the other is there are light soils where the water just runs through.
They also need to ask if nitrates are treated in the system.
Sutter asked if septic systems can be a significant source of nitrate contamination.
Delahunt stated they can if it is a densely populated area.
Hoag asked the footage requirements between drain field and the well. Delahunt stated it
used to be 100 feet.
Sutter stated that it may not be adequate if the well is downstream from the drain field.
Hoag asked if there is any chance of getting reimbursement from the manufacturer of 1,2
DCP. Delahunt stated that the State had a previous lawsuit against makers of EDB.
Pelley stated that 1,2 DCP was not a subject of the lawsuit. The assistant Attorney
General is looking at pursuing cost recovery for 1, 2 DCP. Part of a successful suit will rely on
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the applicators providing the Attorney General's office information about their application rates,
which is hard to come by.
Hoag asked if most fumigants were applied by feed stores or fumigant companies, not
individual farmers. Pelley stated that most of the farms that contract for that work also have
records of what was applied because they were charged for it.
Delahunt stated she believed they only had to keep records for seven years and only had
to report if the Department of Agriculture called it in. The Department of Agriculture called in
reports for the County Health Department, through USGS, because the USGS study was trying to
correlate the levels of fumigants that are currently being used in the groundwater with where
they had been applied. They called in the last seven years' worth of data, but USGS stated that
information was even sketchy.
Hoag asked if there is a regular report that goes to the Department of Agriculture.
Delahunt stated that they are not required to report on an annual basis. If the Department of
Agriculture calls for those records, then they are required to turn them in. Otherwise, they are
only required to keep their own records for seven years.
Hoag asked about the time period that they feel the 1,2 DCP got in groundwater, and if it
was within the last seven years. Delahunt stated that it was prior to the last seven years.
Pelley stated that they met with resistance and incomplete records with the Great Lakes
Suit. It is possible that they can get more help this time. When dealing with long -term
contamination, it is a good idea to keep records for longer than seven years. It is not going to be
an easy case.
Hoag asked who manufactures 1,2 DCP. Pelley stated that one manufacturer is Dow
Chemical.
Delahunt stated that there were fewer hits of EDB than 1,2 DCP.
Hoag asked if they are sampling for what is currently being used. Delahunt stated that is
what USGS did. Their report is not out, but they could give a presentation. They looked at
fumigants being used currently, called in data, and looked at breakdown products. The result
was good news that the newer fumigants don't have an impact. They have seen lower
concentrations in the wells. No wells were increased in concentration. Eventually it looks like it
will go away.
Hoag asked about the timeline of the lawsuit against the makers of 1,2 DCP.
Pelley stated that the State clean up law provides that they can only sue for cost recovery.
It would be an accounting of what was spent by the State to remedy this problem. They are
currently dealing with the worst homes with the above measures. It would be a long process.
Nothing will be filed before the end of the year. They are hoping to have a remedy in place or
selected by the end of this year. That is what Representative Linville earmarked money for.
Hoag asked if DOE was taking the lead on a solution. Pelley stated that they are working
with the County and the City of Lynden.
Delahunt stated that the DOE is taking the lead. They have hired a consultant to look at
the different alternatives. There is the possibility of having a technical committee work with the
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consultant on an interagency process. Once options are laid out, there must be community
involvement. They can't go to the community until a range of options is outlined.
Hoag asked what is being done about the area northeast of Lynden. Delahunt stated that
there are two study sites. That area is study site A.
Hoag asked if other sources of water have been provided. Pelley stated that they are on
the bottled water program.
Delahunt stated that there are quite a few 1, 2 DCP hits in that area. It indicates that is an
area they need to pay attention to. There could be other wells that exceed MCL. They requested
that they keep in mind the issue with the nitrates, not just the fumigants.
Hoag asked what they are doing to educate people about nitrates. Delahunt stated that is
the Health Department's job to get the word out in the community. They have been swamped
with the fumigant issue. They will focus more on nitrates this year.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Hoag suggested a press release to make people aware of the danger of nitrates, without
blaming agriculture. Delahunt stated that they have fact sheets and information on the County
website.
Benjamin stated that there was a news article on the nitrate level. They were expecting
their phone to ring off of the wall, but it didn't. The Health Department has been doing
education, public service announcements, and there have been articles in the paper.
Delahunt stated that the community may be used to nitrates. People don't seem as
excited about the nitrates as the County officials are.
Hoag stated that the newspaper mentioned the State would release a report on the 15tH
Delahunt stated that the Governor requested the agencies have a statewide plan of action to him
by that date. DOE and DOH are putting that together.
Delahunt submitted to the committee the mailing they sent to the north County residents.
It has information on DOH health concentration and exposure investigation. It includes
conclusions and recommendations.
Hoag asked if the ATSDR report will be presented to the committee. Delahunt stated that
is the complete health assessment that reviews all issues. They had a meeting in Lynden for
people to talk with Health Department staff.
Hoag asked about the leukemia investigation report. Delahunt stated it is not yet for
public distribution. In relation to groundwater issue, they weren't able to find a common risk
factor among all of the cases related to a water source.
Benjamin stated that they have been held up because of honoring the confidentiality of
the people in the study. They are to share the information with the study people before going
public.
Benjamin thanked the Council and Executive for actions taken in 1998 to fund another
person and resources for a database.
Natural Resources Committee, 4/6/99, Page 5
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Delahunt stated that anyone who wants copies of the results can get a copy.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned 11:00 a.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
W1 ATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Connie Hoag, Committee Chair
Natural Resources Committee, 4/6/99, Page 6