Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Drinking Water Source Water Protection Projects

The Drinking Water Source Protection Fund (DWSPF) is designed for the protection of drinking water sources. States may loans (up to a maximum of $100,000) for certain source water assessment (SWA) implementation activities, including source water protection (SWP) land acquisition and other types of incentive-based source water quality protection measures.

States may also provide direct assistance in the form of a grant (up to $50,000 per eligible system) or technical support in the areas of SWP area delineation and assessment, wellhead protection programs, and capacity development strategy. Examples of eligible activities include the development of local SWP ordinances and implementation of public education programs to highlight the importance of wellhead protection.

Eligibility

Publicly- and privately-owned community and nonprofit non-community water systems are eligible to apply for DWSPF funding. Water systems must have a completed SWA to be eligible. For more information regarding source water assessments, see PDF iconSWA & Land Use Planning.

Program Overview

  • Low interest loans up to a maximum of $100,000
  • Grant funds up to $50,000 per water system
  • Grant and loan awards must be spent within 2 years to avoid forfeiture

Letter of Interest

To be considered for DWSPF funding, water systems must submit a completed Letter of Interest (LOI) specific to source protection:

DWSPF Project Priority List (PPL)

The source protection project priority list reflects the final relative ranking of projects and activities reviewed for funding by Drinking Water Services and the DEQ Drinking Water Protection Program.  Eligible projects remain on the funding list for two years. If after two years the project remains unfunded, it is removed from the list unless the water system submits an updated LOI. Business Oregon manages funded DWSP projects. Recomended projects on the PPL will be contacted by Business Oregon prior to receiving grant and loan funds. 

Projects not currently recommended for funding, or are below 60 points, or rated ineligible activities, were not considered for funding and must reapply.
If your system has an urgent SWP matter that may need immediate attention, contact Tom Pattee, Groundwater Coordinator/SWP, at tom.pattee@dhsoha.state.or.us or 541-684-2440