Overview
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) 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. Our funding opportunities 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.
The
map below shows funded grants between 2016 and 2024. These grants funded
projects to develop solutions for local water planning, investigate the
feasibility of water projects, and construct a variety of water
infrastructure projects that support municipal, agricultural, and
individual landowner water supply needs. Grants awarded between 2016 and
2024 represent an investment of more than $168 million in state funding
to directly address Oregon’s water supply needs.
Updates and 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 at least $600k available. The amount could increase depending upon the outcome of the 2025 Legislative Session where OWRD's budget for the 2025-27 biennium is decided.
- 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 $4.4 million available.
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 Scoring Criteria document to learn more.
Public Comment Opportunity
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites written public comment on the Technical Review Team (TRT) funding recommendations for the first 2025 cycle of Irrigation Modernization Funding. Public comments submitted on the TRT ranking and funding recommendations will be presented to the Water Resources Commission who will make a funding decision. The Commission meeting is scheduled for June 12-13, 2025.
Written comments on the TRT's funding recommendations will be accepted until 5 p.m., Friday, May 9, 2025
Please submit comments to: OWRD.Grants@water.oregon.gov or Oregon Water Resources Department, Grant Analyst, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, Oregon 97301.
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.
Learn more about Feasibility Study Grants
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.
Placed-Based Water Planning Grants
Place-Based Water Planning (PBP) is a voluntary, locally led process through which a balanced representation of interests form a place-based collaborative, develop a holistic understanding of their water resources, and plan for a secure water future by identifying actions that promote and sustain a healthy economy, environment, and society. Through PBP, OWRD and other state agencies provide guidance, funding, and technical assistance to place-based initiatives to help develop and implement integrated water resources plans. Upon completion, State-Recognized Place-Based Water Plans guide place-based actions to meet current and future instream and out-of-stream water needs, help state agencies identify and consider regional priorities, and provide a platform for continued collaboration to solve complex regional water issues.
Learn more about Place-Based Water Planning Grants.
Water Project Grants and 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 Water Project Grants and Loans and Irrigation Modernization Funding.
Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund
The Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund (WARRF) may reimburse qualifying low to moderate income homeowners for the cost to repair or replace and abandon a dry or severely declining well or a well that was damaged or destroyed by wildfire. The well must have provided water for household needs to individual households or members of a federally recognized tribe in Oregon.
Learn more about Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund grants.