Hagens Berman: Oregon Lawsuit Alleging Nitrate-Polluted Groundwater Filed Against Power Company and Dairy Manufacturer

Core Viewpoint - A new lawsuit has been filed against Portland General Electric Company (PGE) and Columbia River Processing LLC for contaminating groundwater in northeast Oregon with high levels of nitrates, posing significant health risks to residents [1][2]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit, filed on December 5, 2025, is led by the same attorneys involved in a previous case against the Port of Morrow and large commercial farms for similar groundwater contamination issues [3]. - The attorneys claim that the ongoing contamination represents an environmental and social injustice that needs to be addressed [2][10]. - The lawsuit seeks to compel remediation and halt the polluting practices of PGE and Tillamook under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and state law, as well as damages for affected residents [11]. Group 2: Impact on Residents - Thousands of residents in Oregon's Lower Umatilla Basin, including many children, are affected by the nitrate pollution, making access to safe drinking water a significant challenge [4]. - The lawsuit states that the tap water from private wells is so polluted that it is unsafe to drink, forcing residents to rely on bottled water for all household needs [7]. - Those using treated public water face increased bills due to the costs associated with removing nitrates from the water supply [8]. Group 3: Health Risks - High concentrations of nitrates in drinking water can cause serious health issues, including cell damage, birth defects, and cancer, with infants being particularly vulnerable to conditions like methemoglobinemia [9][10]. - The lawsuit emphasizes the urgent need for PGE and Tillamook to cease practices contributing to this contamination to protect community health [9]. Group 4: Wastewater Management - PGE and Tillamook are accused of improperly managing hundreds of millions of gallons of high-nitrate wastewater by sending it to the Port of Morrow, which allegedly dumps it untreated onto land, leading to groundwater pollution [5][6].