News and Information

10/30/20 Nitrate Update

Good News!!!

We have been running solely on the upper well since the evening of 10/20/20. We just received test results from a test submitted Wednesday (10/28/20) taken from the reservoir (where we store our water after pumping it).

Tooley's Reservoir Nitrate Readings are now 2.61, well below the MCL of 10.

Please refer back to this website regularly as we will update it as soon as new information becomes available.

10/22/20 update on high Nitrate Levels

Tooley Water District received a test back today from the lab that places our system nitrates at 9.36 at the reservoir which is below the MCL of 10. We have been running on the upper well exclusively since we turned off the pumps on the lower well on 10/20. We expect nitrate levels to continue to go down as the old water gets used up and new water is replaced exclusively from the upper well.

As our system nitrate levels are now below 10 we are removing the health notice.

We recommend you check this website regularly. We will update it as new information becomes available.

High levels of Nitrate - more information

Please read this notification first: http://tooleywater.org/sites/default/files/TooleyReports/20201021%20Tool...

Background and other information on the subject.

Every year Tooley Water District performs annual tests for nitrate levels. Our past tests are available in our CCR's which are available under the "reports" section of our website, or directly via this link: http://www.tooleywater.org/reports?field_report_type_value%5B%5D=CCR

This year, our nitrate levels jumped up to 18.6 for our lower well. The testing lab notified Oregon Health Authority who in turn notified Tooley Water District that we had an issue. Upon being notified by the Oregon Health Authority we worked with our contract water maintenance provider (Hiland Water) and determined the best option available was to turn off the pumps at our lower well. The upper well tested at below 4 milligrams per liter, well below the MCL of 10 milligrams per liter.

Currently we are operating on our single well.

Moving forward we are still evaluating our options. We are unsure how long we can operate on a single well. There are concerns that winter freezing temperatures could create new issues under our current configuration.

We are seeking pricing for a nitrate removal system.

Additionally, we are attempting to understand the reason for the increased levels.
According to the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/disease/nitrate.....

Nitrate can occur naturally in surface and groundwater at a level that does not generally cause health problems. High levels of nitrate in well water often result from improper well construction, well location, overuse of chemical fertilizers, or improper disposal of human and animal waste. Sources of nitrate that can enter your well include fertilizers, septic systems, animal feedlots, industrial waste, and food processing waste. Wells may be more vulnerable to such contamination after flooding, particularly if the wells are shallow, have been dug or bored, or have been submerged by floodwater for long periods of time.

As there are farming activities as well as potential septic systems near the lower well we are wondering if these could be related.

Additional information with regards to Nitrates in water systems is available from the Oregon DEQ:
https://www.oregon.gov/deq/FilterDocs/nitratedw.pdf

Notice of Budget Hearing for 2020 - 2021

This serves as notice that Tooley Water District will have a budget hearing on Thursday June 18th at 7:00pm.

Please see LB-1 notification here: http://www.tooleywater.org/sites/default/files/TooleyReports/form-lb-1-m...

Additional details can be accessed here:
http://www.tooleywater.org/sites/default/files/TooleyReports/form-lb-20_...
http://www.tooleywater.org/sites/default/files/TooleyReports/form-lb-30_...

This will be a public meeting.
Public comments can be emailed to johnamery@tooleywater.org .
Any requests will be acknowledge with an emailed receipt response.
Additionally, time will be allocated for public comment at the virtual meeting.

Details for access are available here:
http://www.tooleywater.org/node/280

Virtual Meetings

Tooley Water District has moved to a completely virtual environment for meetings.

Please contact johnamery@tooleywater.org if you would like access information.

Board Member Richard Pontow passed away

Long time board member Richard Pontow passed away September 12th. Mr. Pontow has served on the water board for many decades (possibly since the 1960's). Mr. Pontow's dedication to his community through his contributions to Tooley Water District will be remembered and long appreciated.