BOARDMAN, Ore. (AP) — A port along the Columbia River in northeast Oregon will spend up to $200 million to better treat and store wastewater used to irrigate farms. The Capital Press reports the investment by the Port of Morrow comes after the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality fined the port $2.1 million for repeatedly over-applying nitrogen-rich water to crops. The wastewater is taken from businesses at the port’s industrial park. Morrow County declared a state of emergency after private well water testing showed high levels of nitrate contamination. Nitrates can cause health risks including cancers.
Port of Boardman must spend $200M on water quality controls
