The Department seeks to build partnerships and incentivize Oregonians to pursue integrated and innovative solutions for complex water challenges and an uncertain water future. This work is accomplished through strategic investments, adaptive planning, cooperative partnerships, accessible information, and effective coordination. We have a number of funding opportunities that allow us to strategically invest in order to achieve a secure and sustainable water future, addressing instream and out-of-stream needs, for all Oregonians and Oregon's environment, economy, communities, and cultures. Learn more about our funding opportunities below.
Announcements
Grant Application Deadline
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites applications for Water Project Grants and Loans (WPGL) projects and Irrigation Modernization projects.
- Water Project Grants and Loans – provides grants for projects to evaluate, plan, and develop instream and out-of-stream water supply projects. Funding for Water Project Grants and Loans is provided through the sale of lottery revenue bonds. OWRD anticipates having $5 million available.
- Application deadline: 5:00 p.m. on July 10, 2024
- Irrigation Modernization Funding –
provides grants for projects that improve water use efficiency of
irrigation systems on currently irrigated agricultural lands. Funding
for Irrigation Modernization Funding is provided through the sale of
lottery revenue bonds. OWRD anticipates having $25 million available for
2024 applications.
Water Project Grants and Loans and Irrigation Modernization applications are scored using 18 questions to assess the project’s public economic, environmental, and social/cultural public benefits. View the Application Scoring Overview and Scoring Criteria documents to learn more.
OWRD will offer an optional information session to review the grant process and timeline for both WPGL and Irrigation Modernization Funding. The information session will also include a question-and-answer period.
Grant Information Session: Wednesday, April 24, 10 -11 am
Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund
OWRD’s
Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund may reimburse qualifying
homeowners in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern
(GHVGAC) for a portion of the cost to repair or replace and abandon a
dry, severely declining, or at-risk household water well impacted by
declining groundwater levels. The well must have provided household
water for individual households, or members of a federally recognized
tribe in Oregon.
Learn more about the Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund.
Planning Grants
The Department is a funding partner in four places that are taking a collaborative, integrated approach to water planning. There is no funding currently available to support new water planning efforts. The Department is a funding partner in four places that are taking a collaborative, integrated approach to water planning. There is no funding currently available to support new water planning efforts.
Feasibility Study Grants
Feasibility Study Grants reimburse up to 50 percent of the costs of studies to evaluate the feasibility of developing water conservation, reuse, and storage projects. This competitive funding opportunity helps individuals and communities investigate whether a proposed project idea is actually feasible and worth pursuing. Grants are offered on an annual basis, with applications due each fall.
Learn more about Feasibility Study Grants
Water Project Grants & Loans
Water Project Grants and Loans provides funding for projects that will help Oregon meet its instream and out-of-stream water supply needs and produce economic, environmental, and social/cultural benefits. This competitive funding opportunity is meant for implementation-ready projects.
Learn more about applying for Water Project Grants and Loans.
Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund
OWRD
provides reimbursement grants to low-to-moderate income households with
domestic wells that are impacted by drought or wildfire. The Well
Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund (WARRF) will reimburse
qualifying homeowners for the cost to abandon, repair, or replace a dry
or severely declining well. The dry or severely declining well must have
provided household water for individual households, or members of a
federally recognized tribe in Oregon.
The available
funds have already been awarded. Once funding for new reimbursement
grants is available again, the program will announce the reopening
online.
Please see our website for the most current information.
Best Practices in Community Engagement Around Water Projects
The Oregon Water Resources Department, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Department of Environmental Quality, and Business Oregon have been working collaboratively to identify Best Practices in engaging communities when supporting water projects.
This work emphasizes the importance of engaging a wide range of communities, especially those disproportionately impacted or underrepresented, in decisions related to the identification, scoping, design, and implementation of water projects. The agencies co-leading this process are excited to collaborate with partners to refine Best Practices for water projects and co-create materials to help guide the use of Best Practices.
Click here to read the draft 10 Best Practices in Community Engagement around Water Projects Document
This document is intended to be in a draft format. The named agencies in House Bill 3293 (2021; ORS 541.551) are sharing this draft document with communities to gather input and feedback on a draft list of best practices in community engagement around water projects.
Click here to learn more about HB3293 bill
Click here to watch the March 14th informational webinar