DEQ, at the request of Deschutes County, began a groundwater study in the La Pine area. Results of the DEQ study found nitrate contamination from septic systems already occurring in the more densely occupied areas of La Pine. Nitrate above 10 milligrams per liter may represent a serious health concern for infants, pregnant or nursing women, and the elderly. The La Pine area has approximately 13,000 lots that may be served by septic systems. Of these, at least 1,800 lots have water tables two feet or less below surface.
Drinking water is drawn from the aquifer.
The combination of hundreds of septic systems and a shallow aquifer combine to produce an increasing threat to the drinking water supply in the La Pine area. DEQ Online is the official web site for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. If you have questions or comments about the web site contact DEQ's webmaster .