Drinking Water Rules

Rules and Rulemakings

On this page:

Current Rulemaking
Previous Rulemaking
Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) Drinking Water Quality Act of 1981
Current Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for Drinking Water

Current Rulemaking

No current rulemakings.

Previous Rulemaking

Permanent rule amendments requiring an examination to be certified as the operator of a small water system.

The Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division (OHA) permanently amended Oregon Administrative Rule 333-061-0228 related to the training and certification of individuals as small water system operators. This change requires operators to pass an examination to earn this certification, beginning on August 1, 2022. The amendments were necessary to be consistent with federal guidelines and thereby preserve federal grant funding, because federal guidelines require an examination before operator certification is granted.

Small water system certification is required at community and non-transient non-community public water systems serving 150 service connections or less, and that use only groundwater sources or where finished water is purchased from another public water system. Visit the Small Water System Operator page for more information.

Specific amendments and proposed rule language are identified in the documents available below, which include:

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - The Statement of Need and Fiscal Impact and full text of the proposed rule.
Full text of the proposed rule formatted to be more accessible.

Oregon Revised Statue (ORS) Oregon Drinking Water Quality Act

Enacted in 1981, the statute (periodically amended) includes Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 448.119 to 448.285; 454.235; and 454.255. The purpose of the above act is (in part) to:

Ensure that all Oregonians have safe drinking water;

Provide a simple and effective regulatory program for drinking water systems; and
Provide a means to improve inadequate drinking water systems.

Current Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for Drinking Water

ORS 448.131 authorizes Drinking Water Services (DWS) to adopt administrative rules to ensure safe drinking water. OAR Chapter 333 Division 061 is reserved for regulations regarding public water systems and was last amended on January 1, 2021.

A complete set of the drinking water rules in Chapter 333, Division 061.

Quick links to specific rules are provided below:

333-061-0005; 0010; 0015 Purpose; Scope; and Adoption by Reference
333-061-0020 Definitions
333-061-0025 Responsibilities of Water Suppliers
333-061-0030; 0031 Maximum Contaminant Levels and Action Levels; and Maximum Residual Disinfectant Levels
333-061-0032 Treatment Requirements and Performance Standards for Surface Water, Groundwater Under Direct Influence of Surface Water, and Groundwater
333-061-0034 Treatment Requirements and Performance Standards for Corrosion Control
333-061-0036 Sampling and Analytical Requirements
333-061-0040 Reporting and Record Keeping
333-061-0042 Public Notice
333-061-0043 Consumer Confidence Reports
333-061-0045; 0046 Variances and Permits
333-061-0050; 0055 Construction Standards and Waivers from Construction Standards
333-061-0057 Voluntary Drinking Water Protection Program
333-061-0060 Plan Submission and Review Requirements
333-061-0061; 0062 Capacity Requirements for Public Water Systems & Land Use Coordination
333-061-0063 Environmental Review Process for the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Program
333-061-0064 Emergency Response Plan Requirements
333-061-0065 Operation and Maintenance
333-061-0070; 0071 Cross Connection Control Requirements; and Backflow Assembly Installation Standards
333-061-0072 Backflow Assembly Tester Certification
333-061-0073 Cross Connection Specialist Certification
333-061-0074 Cross Connection Training and Instructor Requirements
333-061-0075; 0076; 0077 Sanitary Surveys of Watersheds; Sanitary Surveys of Public Water Systems; and Composite Correction Program Comprehensive Performance Evaluations
333-061-0078 Coliform Investigations
333-061-0080 Role of Counties
333-061-0085; 0087 Supplemental Fluoridation; Product Acceptability Criteria
333-061-0089 Annual Fee for Public Water Systems
333-061-0090; 0095 Penalties and Severability

333-061-0097; 0098 Adverse Health Effects Language and References
333-061-0210 Operator Certification Program Scope
333-061-0220 Classification of Water Treatment Plants and Water Distribution Systems
333-061-0225; 0228; 0230; 0232 General Requirements Applying to Water Systems; Certification Requirements for Small Water System; Contracting For Services Operators; and General Requirements Applying to Water System Operators
333-061-0235 Operator Certification Requirements Levels 1-4
333-061-0245; 0250 Applications for Operator Certification Levels 1-4; and Examinations Levels 1-4
333-061-0260 Operator Certification Renewals Levels 1-4
333-061-0265 Operator Certification Fees
333-061-0270; 0272 Refusal, Suspension, or Revocation of Certification; Suspension of Certification; and Penalties
333-061-0305 through 0335 Domestic Well Testing Real Estate Transaction Purpose; Scope; Area of Public Health Concern; Domestic Well Tests; Accredited Laboratories; and Sample Collection
333-061-0400 Reducing Lead in School Drinking Water
333-061-0510 through 0580 Cyanotoxin Monitoring and Public Notification at Public Drinking Water Systems