Emergencies, Disasters, and Wells

Resources for Domestic Well Users after an Emergency or Natural Disaster

If your private well has been impacted by an emergency or natural disaster, this page has resources to support you. Click on a specific type of emergency or disaster for more information, or scroll down this page to see all resources:

Wildfire

Drought

Flooding

Additional resources - including disinfection and managing debris

Highlighted resource: Funding for dry, damanged, or wildfire-impacted wells

As of November 2025, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is accepting Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund (WARRF) applications. OWRD provides financial assistance to low-to-moderate income homeowners to permanently abandon, repair, or replace a private well used for household purposes. This fund is specifically for wells that are:

Dry or
Damaged or destroyed by a wildfire

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been awarded. Visit the OWRD website for the most updated information, including how to fill out an application.

Resources for wildfire-impacted wells

Testing after a wildfire

If you sustained losses or damage due to wildfires, consider having your well water tested. We recommend testing for arsenic, nitrate, bacteria, lead, and, depending on damage assessment results, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). Even if the fire did not directly damage your well, or if you have repaired the damage to your well, testing is an important step in recovering your property.

Follow these steps to recover your well after the wildfire:

Assess

Begin by completing the well damage assessment to identify damage level and next steps.

Well Damage Assessment

Cómo evaluar los daños
en los pozos privados

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Protect

Follow recommendations in the well damage assessment. Make sure you know what work you are authorized to do and what is required to be done by a licensed professional. Actions may include:

Repair and replace damaged well components
Re-pressurize and refill the well
Flush the water lines
Treat the well for microbial contaminants
Test

Test

After you have assessed the damage to your well and taken the needed actions, it's time to test the water.

Contact an accredited laboratory to coordinate sample collection and analysis.

Find an Accredited Laboratory

Wildfire-related resources

Read OWRD's handout on Maintaining Your Well After the Wildfire
Visit CDC's website for Private Wells After a Wildfire
Learn about recovering your property after the wildfire on the DEQ Wildfire Response webpage

Visit the Well User Resource Toolkit to learn more about the health effects of contaminants
Learn about Disaster Assistance through the Office of Emergency Management
Learn about additional community resources on the State of Oregon’s Oregon Wildfire Recovery webpage
State of Oregon's Drinking Water Supply Resources

Resources for dry and drought-impacted wells

Report a Dry Well
Klamath County Domestic Well Financial Assistance Grant Program: For owners of domestic wells in Klamath county that have been impacted by drought.
Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund: For those in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern (GHVGAC) with household wells impacted by declining groundwater levels. Applications for funding will be accepted through January 30, 2026.

Resources for flood-impacted wells

If your well has been affected by flooding, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the following steps:

Stay away from the well pump while flooded to avoid electric shock.
Do not drink or wash from the flooded well to avoid becoming sick. If you do not have access to bottled water, the fact sheet "What to do when your water source is flooded" can help you make your water safe to drink. You should follow similar procedures should any other disaster occur (ie: fire, snowstorm, etc.).
Get assistance from a well or pump contractor to clean and turn on the pump.
After the pump is turned back on, pump the well until the water runs clear to rid the well of flood water. If the water does not run clear, it is recommended that a coliform test is done prior to using the well.

Caution: Your well may not be a safe source of water for many months after a flood. The well can become contaminated with bacteria or other contaminants over time and cause short and long term health effects. Wastewater from malfunctioning septic tanks or chemicals seeping into the ground can contaminate the groundwater even after the water was tested and found to be safe. Repeated testing is strongly recommended to protect the safety of your drinking water.