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Addressing Uranium Contamination
in the Navajo Nation
Contaminated Water Sources
EPA is working with the Navajo Nation, federal agencies, and community organizations to ensure that Navajo families do not drink water that is contaminated with uranium or other heavy metals. All regulated water sources on the reservation are regularly tested and meet the drinking water standards.
Navajo Nation EPA estimates that up to 30% of its population is not served by a public water system. This represents approximately 54,000 people. These residents either haul water from unregulated sources, such as livestock wells, springs, or private wells, or from regulated watering points. The number of unregulated water sources is not known, but is estimated to be in the low thousands.
Navajo Nation policy prohibits the use of these unregulated sources for human consumption, nevertheless, interviews with Navajo residents have shown that the practice continues and is widespread due to lack of suitable water sources in the more remote regions of the Navajo Nation. The use of unregulated water sources represents the greatest public health risk associated with drinking water for the Navajo Nation.
In March 2008, EPA tested 50 Navajo Nation unregulated water sources, and Center for Disease Control sampled over 100 additional sources. Of these, 22 were found to exceed standards for radionuclides. EPA testing identified 15 of these and the CDC testing revealed an additional seven. The water from 21 of these sources is being used for human consumption. Most are located within 10 miles of a safe alternative supply.
EPA and its local partners are posting advisory signs (PDF) (1 pg, 355K) at contaminated water sources and issuing health advisories (PDF) (2 pp, 183K) to affected residents, including radio announcements in English and Navajo language. EPA and the Indian Health Service will work with other agencies to find alternative water sources where possible. Navajo Nation EPA hired a circuit rider to provide door-to-door assistance to water users wherever needed.
IHS completed an EPA-supported water service improvement project to assist Black Falls area residents impacted by four contaminated wells. In addition, EPA recently awarded a $20,000 Environmental Justice grant to the non-profit Forgotten People to identify practical and effective solutions, such as exterior elevated water tanks, for families living in the Black Falls area that do not have direct access to piped water. Forgotten People is working together with IHS, local businesses, Navajo Nation EPA and others to plan and implement a community-based water project to provide homes with safe drinking water.
In 2009 and 2010, EPA, IHS, and the Navajo Nation Community Development Block Grant program plan to provide $14 million for the construction of infrastructure to serve 328 homes that lack piped water in the vicinity of six contaminated water sources in the Dennehotso, Monument Valley and the Sweetwater areas. EPA will also provide funds to the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources to implement a water hauling feasibility study and pilot program to serve 4,000 homes.
EPA and IHS identified the regions of Black Falls and Dennehotso where safe water is not available within 10 miles of a contaminated source. IHS is completing an EPA-supported water service improvement project to assist Black Falls area residents impacted by four contaminated wells.
EPA and Navajo Nation EPA will continue to test unregulated water sources, and in rare circumstances where water sources are contaminated by uranium mines, EPA may use its Superfund authority to take appropriate action.