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French fries producer Lamb Weston has agreed to pay $25 million into a settlement fund over allegations that its operations contributed to nitrate contamination of groundwater in Morrow and Umatilla counties.
The settlement, which requires court approval, will help residents of the Eastern Oregon counties pay for deeper wells, water filtration systems and water bills for those who connect to city water systems.
Excessive Nitrate Levels in Lower Umatilla River Basin Groundwater
Lamb Weston is among several defendants named in a putative class action filed by private plaintiffs in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. The plaintiffs allege that business operations contributed to excessive nitrate levels in groundwater in the Lower Umatilla River Basin.
The settlement does not include an admission of liability or wrongdoing, and the company continues to dispute the claims.
The Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGWMA) was created in 1990 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to address elevated nitrate levels found in drinking water.
The area covers 562 square miles in northern Morrow and Umatilla counties and is home to approximately 45,000 residents, many of whom have private wells.
Tidings Data Snapshot
Announced Groundwater SettlementsLower Umatilla Basin litigation / 2026 agreementsThe announced agreements total $51.7 million. Lamb Weston’s agreement requires court approval; the earlier Amazon and Madison settlements have preliminary approval. These are settlement amounts, not payments already distributed to residents.
Sources: Lamb Weston SEC filing / Hagens Berman case documents and updatesDailyTidings.com
Water Management Best Practices in Line With DEQ Requirements
Lamb Weston has also agreed to continue using numerous water management best practices in alignment with DEQ requirements and recommendations, including practices related to nitrogen management.
The agreement resolves the contested litigation involving Lamb Weston. Claims against other defendants are ongoing.
According to the company’s SEC filing, Lamb Weston expects to pay the $25 million into a settlement fund in the second half of its fiscal year 2027, subject to the U.S. District Court’s approval of the settlement agreement.
Residents Do Not Need to Take Action on the Settlement Yet
Residents do not need to take any action on the settlement at this stage. A website will be established by a court-appointed administrator if the court grants preliminary approval. Eligible residents will be notified with further information.
Residents with private wells can separately check the Oregon Health Authority’s free well-testing guidance.
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