Grant Co. Fairgrounds might not be affecting water

EPHRATA - Nitrates found in the water under the Grant County Fairgrounds may be coming from somewhere other than septic systems.

Fairgrounds Manager Jerry Gingrich presented a preliminary report from GSI Water Solutions, the company Grant County hired to help with renewing permits for the septic systems at the fairgrounds. The state Department of Health required permits for the large on-site septic systems at the fairgrounds.

The requirement came after concerns nitrates and phosphates from the septic systems were going into the groundwater and into Moses Lake.

As part of monitoring the groundwater, the county drilled three monitoring wells, according to county records. The first monitoring well is "upstream" of the septic system being tested, the other two are "downstream."

GSI Water Solutions Principal Kevin Lindsey reported nitrate levels in all the monitoring wells increased between July and November, and the third well is consistently showing nitrate levels above the regulatory limit of 10 milligrams per liter.

"What they're saying, as I understand it, and I talked to GSI and the Soiltest people, is all three monitoring wells are showing increasing nitrate levels over time, but monitoring well one ... shows the steepest increases, while all the others have shown similar," Gingrich said. "(It makes sense) if we're not the ones polluting the groundwater."

Nitrate levels in monitoring well one shouldn't increase if the septic system was responsible for polluting the aquifer, he said.

Gingrich pointed out the highest level recorded was 13 milligrams per liter, which is 3 milligrams above the legal limit.

GSI doesn't have a measurement showing how deep the water table is below the fairgrounds, and is recommending a professional survey. Measuring the depth would allow the county to know where it is taking the sample, Gingrich said.

Soiltest Farm Consultants, the company performing the tests, agreed with GSI's recommendation, he said.

"What they want to know is, from the well head, where, truly, is the water level, not just where did you get water," Gingrich said. "Now would be the best time because it's going to be at its lowest point."

Commissioner Cindy Carter said the preliminary results were great news, since it showed the upstream monitoring well increased as well.

Commissioner Carolann Swartz agreed it was great news for the county, but it was more complicated.

"It's so interesting because you do a study like this and it's kind of serendipitous, is a good word for it, because things happen that you never expected," she said.

Commissioner Richard Stevens pointed out the monitoring well closest to the septic system is showing the lowest amount of nitrates in it.

Gingrich planned to contact the Department of Health, and ask whether officials received the preliminary results.

"This is a long-term project. It's probably going to go on for a couple of years," he said. "The well monitoring is going to be a multi-year (project), (the department) is looking for trends, not just an event."