When I was growing up in Oregon, water was always available for drinking, cooking, gardening, and other necessities. Getting water was as easy as turning the faucet. We were always grateful for this basic necessity. When my parents were growing up, getting water required a jug or a guacal (a large bowl) to carry it from the river or the closest body of water. They had to carry these heavy guacales home and then had to boil the water to make it safe for drinking and cooking. Sometimes multiple trips were required.
As kids, we would play in the sprinkler, run around with water guns in the neighborhood, get the trampoline wet and bounce around. After, we would either go inside and grab a glass of water or be rebellious and drink straight from the hose outside. At the end of the day, we would go inside and shower off all the grime and dirt. Water was something that we always assumed was clean and safe without hesitation. The idea of water being full of contaminants, chemicals, or other dangers that can pose health risks was never on our radar.
As I grew older and matured, my eyes were opened to issues that I was sheltered from and didn’t know were happening in my community and nearby neighborhoods and towns. As the saying goes, “Calladita(o) te ves mas bonita(o).” I was raised to not make a fuss about issues and learn to live with and adapt to the conditions we were given. To cause an uproar or complain was not in our best interest—we believed it would bring unnecessary attention.
Today, I advocate for individuals to have access and support to meet their basic needs. I know that the last thing people who are facing life challenges and barriers should worry about is where food, shelter, or basic necessities like water will come from. I have always been dedicated to empowering communities and advocating for justice for those in different stages in life. People can always use a companion or support through tough times.
Water is one of the key basic necessities of life, a precious requirement for each and every single living being on Earth, but it can be dangerous in ways we do not expect. When we think of water being “dangerous” we usually associate it with drowning risks or consuming water from places out in nature, like rivers, that may have life-threatening bacteria or viruses. We don’t think water would be dangerous or life-threatening in our own homes.
Picture this: you have been filtering your water and thinking that the water in your home has been safe to consume, brush your teeth with, wash dishes with, and give to pets and children. Then you learn that the water is polluted and contaminated by a chemical called nitrate. Now, that simple turn of the faucet makes you second-guess everything and causes fear for those who have consumed this water for the past years, decades, and generations. It causes you to wonder: “How do we get safe, reliable water?” “How do we know if our water is contaminated or safe?” “If my water is dangerous for my family and me, how can we get water for our everyday needs?” You begin to go into a survival mindset.
For generations, people in the Lower Umatilla Basin in Eastern Oregon have trusted the groundwater from their wells to be safe to drink, wash dishes, provide for livestock and pets, and now they are faced with an uncertain future. Domestic well water across Umatilla and Morrow Counties has been contaminated with high levels of nitrate, making it dangerous for human consumption. Consuming high levels of nitrate can lead to health issues such as blue baby syndrome, thyroid cancer, miscarriages, and others. Neighbors in these communities with high levels of nitrates in their wells have seen these things occur in their lives. One neighbor had a miscarriage, not once, but twice. Another neighbor lost their wife to cancer. A different neighbor, who has one of the highest nitrate levels, lost their ability to speak. Many have lost pets and other animals. All of these neighbors, friends, and families have one thing in common: high levels of nitrates in their well water. This contaminated water was being consumed for years without them knowing it. Their tragic losses have the community questioning whether the high levels of nitrate are responsible. This fear and concern has caused the community to come together to seek answers and relief.
These fears and concerns are not only happening in the Lower Umatilla. Even the water in Milton-Freewater has hidden risks and dangers. Last year, PFOS, a “forever chemical,” was found in the city water at more than double the limit deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency. This kind of news brings fear and concerns for those who don’t know how to navigate these unknown statements or data. For people whose first language isn’t English, the situation is even more challenging. The information people receive through the mail is often too complicated to understand. It is hard to know how severe the problem is and how long we have been exposed.
When currents come together, it makes for a larger force and disruption. That is what has been seen in the Lower Umatilla Basin, where community members are being affected by this contamination. The communities of the Lower Umatilla Basin may not see eye-to-eye on a multitude of things, but one major issue they can band together on is the right to safe drinking water. No matter where you came from, who you are, the foods you eat and make, or the beliefs you have, the community agrees that everyone deserves to have a source of clean drinking water.
The currents and movements have clashed and united. At the beginning, people saw their neighbors as hindrances, and the lack of collaboration caused more harm and fear. Now, neighbors have come together with genuine interest in getting to know one another despite their differences, finding other ways to communicate when interpretation is not available. A community that once ignored their neighbors because they couldn't speak to each other now seeks access to language justice, recognizing the importance of including the voices of our neighbors who do not speak English. The people affected by poor water quality are tired of delayed action. The right to safe drinking water is a current that is only growing and gaining momentum with support from various outside organizations and people wanting to have this basic necessity met. The uphill climb seems never-ending, but the resilience, passion, and heart of these people will only continue to make the wave bigger and eventually provide a safe water source for everyone.
Now, as you turn on your faucet for your cup of water—to brew coffee, provide to your pets, or use for chores—think about those who don’t have the same access as you.
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