• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Jackson Hole Radio

Jackson Hole Radio

Covering the Tetons since 1965

LISTEN LIVE

  • KMTN
  • KJAX
  • KZJH
  • La Nueva
Covering the Tetons since 1965
  • Home
  • News from Jackson Hole
  • About Us
  • National Parks
  • Wildlife
  • Contact Us

Protect Our Water Jackson Hole Files DEQ Complaint Over Nitrate Pollution in Teton County Groundwater

September 26, 2025 by Jackson Hole Radio

Phil Powers Appointed as Executive Director of Protect Our Water Jackson Hole

Protect Our Water Jackson Hole (POWJH), a leading advocate for clean water in the Tetons, has filed a formal complaint with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on September 25th, 2025, demanding an investigation into nitrate contamination in Pub Place groundwater. Levels exceeding the EPA’s 10 mg/L standard threaten public health, particularly infants and pregnant women, and stem from aging septic systems in a densely developed area. This action builds on POWJH’s track record of successful water quality advocacy, including prompting DEQ probes in Hoback Junction. For more on Teton County’s environmental challenges, see Jackson Hole’s water conservation efforts.

The Nitrate Crisis in Pub Place: Exceeding Safe Limits

In 2024, the Pub Place public water system recorded nitrate levels as high as 14.8 mg/L, surpassing the EPA’s maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/L by nearly 50 percent. Nearby systems, including O Bar B and Valley View Mutual Water Company, have also detected elevated nitrates, indicating a widespread issue tied to human activity. Filed under Wyoming Statute §35-11-701(a), the POWJH complaint highlights a decade-long upward trend in contamination, urging DEQ to trace sources and enforce remediation. Groundwater in the area is classified as suitable for domestic use, making swift action essential to prevent further leaching into drinking supplies.

Health Risks: From Blue Baby Syndrome to Long-Term Concerns

Nitrates pose acute dangers, especially to vulnerable groups. High exposure can trigger methemoglobinemia, or “blue baby syndrome,” where nitrates impair blood’s oxygen-carrying ability, leading to shortness of breath, bluish skin, and potentially fatal outcomes in infants under six months. Pregnant women face increased risks of complications, while even levels below 10 mg/L may contribute to chronic issues like gastrointestinal cancers, as noted by health experts. Dr. Jeffrey Schenck, POWJH board member and gastroenterologist, warns that contaminated water may also harbor bacteria and viruses, amplifying threats. “Nitrate levels have been steadily increasing… We are concerned with getting to the bottom of the groundwater contamination,” said Jen Evans, POWJH Advocacy Director.

Suspected Sources and Broader Context in Teton County

The contamination likely originates from over 50 leach fields crammed into less than a square mile near Pub Place—many installed in the 1970s and 1980s—alongside potential industrial runoff. This mirrors patterns in nearby Hoback Junction, where a 2024 DEQ report confirmed septic density as the primary nitrate culprit, following POWJH’s earlier petition. Teton County’s rapid growth exacerbates these risks, straining outdated infrastructure and underscoring the need for updated septic regulations and monitoring.

POWJH’s Call to Action and How to Get Involved

POWJH, founded in 2014 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, drives water protection through advocacy, education, and community solutions in the Upper Snake River Headwaters Watershed. They’re pressing DEQ for a comprehensive source investigation and remediation plan to restore safe water. “Groundwater is one of our most vital resources in Teton County,” Evans emphasized. View the full complaint at powjh.org and support by donating, volunteering, or attending events. For local environmental updates, follow Jackson Hole Radio. Protecting Teton’s waters demands collective effort—now’s the time to act

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Jackson Hole Radio
Jackson Hole Radio
The Jackson Hole Radio staff has been covering news in Teton County, WY since 1963. Our editorial team is committed to providing readers, and listeners, with first-hand accounts of everyday life in one of America's most beautiful towns.
Jackson Hole Radio
Latest posts by Jackson Hole Radio (see all)
  • Protect Our Water Jackson Hole Files DEQ Complaint Over Nitrate Pollution in Teton County Groundwater - September 26, 2025
  • Body Believed to Be Wesley Dopkins Recovered in Jackson Lake by Bruce’s Legacy - September 9, 2025
  • Teton Bouldering Park at Phil Baux Park Closes for Maintenance September 10-16, 2025 - September 8, 2025

Filed Under: News from Jackson Hole

Primary Sidebar

LISTEN LIVE!

  • KMTN
  • KJAX
  • KZJH
  • La Nueva

Trash & Treasure Weekdays @ 9:30 on KMTN 733-5686 or email tnt@jacksonholeradio.com

Advertise with Jackson Hole Radio

Jackson Hole Radio Youtube

Tags

Avalanche Bears Bison Crime Elk Refuge Game and Fish Grand Teton National Park Grizzlies Health Highway Fatality Housing Jackson Hole Wyoming News KMTN Mountain Lion Planning and Politics Recreation Regional News Search and Rescue Skiing Sports Teton Valley tourism Travel Victor and Driggs Water quality Wildfire Wolves Wyoming Legislature Yellowstone National Park

Recent Posts

  • Protect Our Water Jackson Hole Files DEQ Complaint Over Nitrate Pollution in Teton County Groundwater
  • Body Believed to Be Wesley Dopkins Recovered in Jackson Lake by Bruce’s Legacy
  • Teton Bouldering Park at Phil Baux Park Closes for Maintenance September 10-16, 2025
  • New Fire Engine at Old Bill’s Fun Run 2025
  • Be Bear Aware: Wyoming Game and Fish Urges Residents to Secure Attractants

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Footer

Contact us: info@jacksonholeradio.com
Telephone :307-733-2120
Address :1085 Highway 22 UNIT E Jackson, WY - United States
  • EEO
  • KMTN
  • KJAX
  • KZ95
  • LaNueva 96.3FM
  • Privacy Policy

© Copyright Jackson Hole Radio, LLC