DEQ's Water Quality Permitting Program

This rulemaking also increased some program fees by more than 3% as authorized by the Oregon Legislature with the adoption of Policy Option Package 120 in 2025.

Water quality fees were increased 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 
  

• Oregon Administrative Rule 340-045-0075 Fee Tables 70A-H (Effective Nov. 1, 2026) 
  

• Oregon Administrative Rule 340-048-0055 Fee Table 1 (Effective July 1, 2026) 
  

• Oregon Administrative Rule 340-049-0065 Fee Table B and C (Effective July 1, 2026) 
  

• Oregon Administrative Rule 340-071-0800 Fee Tables 9A-9F and Oregon Administrative Rule 340-071-0220 Table 1-8 (Effective July 1, 2026)