Oregon's Domestic Well Safety Program
Nearly 23% of Oregonians rely on domestic wells, or private wells, as their primary source of potable water. This makes groundwater protection and well stewardship important to public health. The
Oregon Domestic Well Safety Program (DWSP) works to protect the lifelong health of people in Oregon and our groundwater resources. We partner with local health departments and other state agencies to assess and manage risks associated with private wells and promote domestic well safety.
Available now - Well Testing Assistance Vouchers: If you sustained losses or damage due to wildfires in 2020 (those wildfires beginning September 7), you may be eligible for free/subsidized private well testing. Beginning in November 2021, Oregon Health Authority will provide vouchers for private or "domestic" water testing to residential fire impacted well owners. Vouchers will cover testing for Arsenic, Nitrate, Bacteria, Lead and, depending on damage assessment results, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes (BTEX). For more information, visit the Wildfire-Impacted Domestic Well Testing page.
Available now - Water Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund: The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is currently accepting applications from low-to-moderate income households with domestic wells that are impacted by drought or wildfire. The Water Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund provides financial assistance to permanently abandon, repair or replace a water well used for household purposes. Applications will be accepted year-round, depending on availability of funds.
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