PRINEVILLE, OR -- U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is exploring possible federal solutions to help Crook County residents impacted by contaminated well water. He tells KBND News he talked with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Administrator Thursday.

Merkley said in a statement, “I’m committed to helping Crook County families who are very stressed about the safety of their well water. After visiting with two dozen impacted homeowners and hearing their stories earlier this month, I have been exploring a possible federal angle to help get to the bottom of the crisis. This morning, on a call that Senator Wyden also joined, the EPA committed to three key steps: investigating the connection of the possible contamination to surface water, exploring federal resources for folks in Crook County, and working with the State to address the contamination concerns. I will keep striving to bring federal, state, and local partners together to identify the cause of any contamination and find solutions.”

Merkley believes the heavy metal contamination comes from a nearby gravel mine and has asked state mining regulators to investigate.