Morrow County drinking water group discusses possible solutions

BOARDMAN — Although there is forward progress in Morrow County’s efforts to address drinking water access for residents, ongoing tension between stakeholders led to a public clash during one group’s recent public meeting.

The Morrow County Clean Water Consortium met March 10 at the Port of Morrow in Boardman as part of its regular schedule. The consortium’s focus is getting clean water to residents through pipes extending or creating water systems. Umatilla and Morrow counties both have many residents with high levels of nitrates in their drinking water.

Members of the consortium’s board heard from contractors about updates regarding grant applications and how the group’s new managing director is settling into his role.

During the public comment period, however, Kristin Ostrom, executive director of the La Grande-based community action group Oregon Rural Action, spoke about the requests from residents of Boardman’s West Glen neighborhood. They have formed a community group, West Glen United, to advocate for residents’ preferences as the consortium seeks to get them clean water.