Water for Eastern Oregon

07/21/2026

What does a prosperous future look like for the Lower Umatilla Basin? Our latest blog post explores how the Oregon Prosperity Council’s recommendations align with our region’s strengths, opportunities, and long-term potential both for the economy and the environment.

On June 25th, the Oregon Prosperity Council that was formed by Governor Tina Kotek in January 2026 released its "Recommendations for Oregon's Long-Term Competitiveness and Prosperity” report. If these recommendations are taken, there are several ways that the Lower Umatilla Basin can benefit.

07/17/2026

"These results show a key achievement: Oregon’s farmers and ranchers are making a positive difference for water quality."

This is a great story in the latest Oregon Department of Agriculture Ag Quarterly that spotlights the collaboration with farmers around the state to take a team-based, science-driven approach to water quality to support farming while protecting natural resources.

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07/09/2026

The inaugural Pacific Northwest Industrial Symbiosis Conference that took place June 28–30 in Vancouver, Washington demonstrated just how much interest is building around this innovative approach to economic development, sustainability, and resource efficiency.

For H2OEO and its members, the conference provided a valuable opportunity to contribute to the conversation and help shape the future of Industrial Symbiosis in the Pacific Northwest. Read more about it in our latest blog post:

Industrial Symbiosis is gaining momentum across the Pacific Northwest, and the inaugural Pacific Northwest Industrial Symbiosis Conference that took place June 28–30 in Vancouver, Washington demonstrated just how much interest is building around this innovative approach to economic development, su...

06/22/2026

Industrial symbiosis is important for building climate and drought resilience, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting local economies, including right here in the Lower Umatilla Basin. The Center for Sustainable Infrastructure is holding its first Pacific Northwest Industrial Symbiosis Conference in Vancouver, Washington June 28-30. The conference brings together industrial symbiosis leaders from across the Pacific Northwest and builds on recent legislative action encouraging industrial symbiosis in Oregon and Washington.

Learn more: https://www.sustaininfrastructure.org/is-conference-2026

05/29/2026

In the latest edition of our Flowing Forward series, we identify each of city and county-level efforts related to water infrastructure improvements taking place in the Lower Umatilla Basin and provide a brief summary of the work being performed.

Read the blog:

For each installment of Flowing Forward, you can expect a transparent and honest analysis of key pieces of the Nitrate Reduction Plan, clean drinking water infrastructure projects, and community outreach efforts that looks at science and facts over ideological claims based on little more than fear t...

05/22/2026

Did you catch the results of the primary election? If you are looking to get up to speed, we recommend visiting the Secretary of State’s Morrow County page to see the most current results.

05/15/2026

We had the opportunity to attend the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission at the SAGE Center in Boardman yesterday and offer public comment on the progress that has been made around water issues in the basin.

Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon DEQ, OWRD, and Oregon Health Authority also provided an informative update on the progress implementing the Nitrate Reduction Plan for the LUBGWMA. You can view and download their presentation here:
https://ormswd2.synergydcs.com/ORMSCMSearchDEQ/Search/RecordViewer.aspx?uri=7060595

03/20/2026

"... these requirements are an important step in showing the public that farmers are responsibly managing nutrients.”

Thank you to OPB for covering this important work.

The new rules follow several years and attempts to address and clean up a decadeslong water pollution problem.

03/11/2026

UPDATED:
As of January 31, 2026, more than 2,100 nitrate tests have been performed, over 290 water treatment systems have been installed, and 621 homes are receiving bottled water delivery. This work was accomplished by boots on the ground efforts like knocking on doors and talking to residents about water quality.

Read more in the new edition of our Flowing Forward series:

For each installment of Flowing Forward, you can expect a transparent and honest analysis of key pieces of the Nitrate Reduction Plan, clean drinking water infrastructure projects, and community outreach efforts that looks at science and facts over ideological claims based on little more than fear t...

03/06/2026

"By formalizing Managing Director services, the Consortium is transitioning from foundational planning to active project implementation — a critical milestone in delivering sustainable, permanent clean water solutions for impacted residents."

Congratulations to Engage2Elevate LLC on joining the Clean Water Consortium. We are looking forward to seeing the important work of this group continue to progress.

Via My Columbia Basin:

BOARDMAN – (News release from Morrow County Clean Water Consortium) The Morrow County Clean Water ...Read More