Water Quality Fees 2026

Proposed rule

Rulemaking contact: Jason Simpson, 503-995-4054

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality invites public input on proposed rule amendments to Chapter 340 of the Oregon Administrative Rules. Not more than once per year, DEQ proposes rule amendments for adoption by EQC to update water quality fees provided by ORS 468B.051. The EQC has authority to annually adjust fees up to 3% per year for fees associated with:

• Stormwater Permitting Program
• Water Pollution Control Facility Permitting Program
• National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems Permitting Program
• General Permits
• 401 Dredge and Fill Water Quality Certification Program
• Wastewater System Operator Certification Program
• Underground Injection Control - Rule Authorizations
• Residential Onsite Septic System Permitting Program 

DEQ also proposes increasing some of the above program fees by more than 3% as authorized by the Oregon Legislature with the adoption of policy option package 120 in 2025.

DEQ proposes amending rules to increase water quality fees by the following amounts above the 2026 fees: 

• 3% for NPDES/WPCF fees effective November 2026 
• 3% for Onsite fees; PLUS an additional 30% (for a total of 33%) recalibration increase authorized by legislature under POP 120. Effective July 2026 
• 3% for 401 Dredge and Fill fees; PLUS an additional 20% (for a total of 23%) recalibration increase authorized by legislature under POP 120. Effective July 2026 
• 3% for Wastewater Operator Certification fees; PLUS a two-phase fee increase captured in two tables in the fee rulemaking: a 17% fee increase plus the annual 3% increase (total 20%) effective July 2026. In addition, this rulemaking will have a small update to current language for OAR 340-049-0055 (10) which states: “A minimum score of 70 percent is required to pass an examination" and DEQ recommends updating this rule to read as follows: “A minimum score of 70 percent is required to pass an examination or as determined by the examination contractor". 
  
• 3% for Underground Injection Control fees; PLUS an additional 15% (for a total of 18%) recalibration increase authorized by legislature under POP 120. Effective July 2026