DEQ's upcoming rulemaking will focus on recycled/reclaimed water. “Recycled Water" means treated effluent from a wastewater treatment system which as a result of treatment is suitable for a direct beneficial purpose. Recycled water includes reclaimed water as defined in ORS 537.131. This rulemaking does not include industrial or graywater regulations.
Proposed rule
Rulemaking contact: Grace Cannon, 971-300-3261
This rulemaking is necessary to fulfill the legislative requirements of House Bill 2169, which passed in July of 2025. This house bill directed DEQ, and other state agencies to do the following:
- Work together to encourage and expand opportunities for water reuse by overcoming institutional and regulatory barriers and improving policies and internal operations related to water reuse.
- “Identify and propose regulatory changes needed to overcome barriers to water reuse in a manner that protects public health and the environment, including, but not limited to, changes to state agency policies and internal guidance, administrative rules and state statutes." - HB 2169
This rulemaking will amend OAR 340 division 55 (Recycled water use) to remove barriers to water reuse identified through collaboration with partners across the state. The updates will clarify and modernize recycled water rules, incorporate current scientific methods, protect surface and groundwater, safeguard wildlife and protected landscapes, and take contaminants of concern into consideration.