Overview
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) seeks
to build partnerships and incentivize Oregonians to pursue integrated
and innovative solutions for complex water challenges and an uncertain
water future. This work is accomplished through strategic investments,
adaptive planning, cooperative partnerships, accessible information, and
effective coordination. Our funding opportunities allow us to
strategically invest in order to achieve a secure and sustainable water
future, addressing instream and out-of-stream needs, for all Oregonians
and Oregon's environment, economy, communities, and cultures. Learn more
about our funding opportunities below.
The
map below shows funded grants between 2016 and 2025. These grants funded
projects to develop solutions for local water planning, investigate the
feasibility of water projects, and construct a variety of water
infrastructure projects that support municipal, agricultural, and
individual landowner water supply needs. Grants awarded between 2016 and
2025 represent an investment of more than $191 million in state funding
to directly address Oregon’s water supply needs.
Updates and Announcements
Public Comment Opportunity – Place-Based Water Planning Grants
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites written public comment on grant applications for Place-Based Water Planning (PBWP) Funding. OWRD received seven complete PBWP grant applications requesting a total of $1,193,743 in funding.
A multi-agency Application Review Team (ART) will consider public comments submitted in their evaluation of applications. The ART will evaluate applications and make a funding recommendation to the OWRD Director. OWRD will post the ART funding recommendation for an additional public comment period in the fall. Awards will be announced in late 2026.
Written comments on the applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on September 14, 2026.
Please submit comments to: PBWP@water.oregon.gov or Planning Coordinator, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, Oregon 97301.
Feasibility Study Grants – 2027 Funding Cycle
The next funding cycle for Feasibility Study Grants will be announced in fall 2026 and applications will be due in spring 2027.
Applications will be accepted online once the funding cycle is announced. Sign up here to receive email announcements.
OWRD anticipates having approximately $1 million to $1.5 million available for the 2027 funding cycle, pending confirmation of the Departments 2027-2029 budget by the Oregon Legislature. Projects awarded funding must complete their studies by June 30, 2029.
Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund
OWRD invites low- to moderate-income homeowners experiencing well water supply issues to apply for a Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund grant.
Feasibility
Study Grants reimburse up to 75 percent of the costs of studies to
evaluate the feasibility of developing water conservation, reuse, aquifer recharge, aquifer storage and recovery, streamflow protection or restoration, and
storage projects. This competitive funding opportunity helps individuals
and communities investigate whether a proposed project idea is actually
feasible and worth pursuing. Grants are offered on an annual basis.
Learn more about Feasibility Study Grants
Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund
OWRD’s Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund may reimburse qualifying homeowners in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern (GHVGAC) for part of the cost to repair or replace and abandon a dry or at-risk household water well impacted by declining groundwater levels.
Learn more about the Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund.
Placed-Based Water Planning Grants
Place-Based Water Planning (PBP) is a voluntary, locally led process through which a balanced representation of interests form a place-based collaborative, develop a holistic understanding of their water resources, and plan for a secure water future by identifying actions that promote and sustain a healthy economy, environment, and society. Through PBP, OWRD and other state agencies provide guidance, funding, and technical assistance to place-based initiatives to help develop and implement integrated water resources plans. Upon completion, State-Recognized Place-Based Water Plans guide place-based actions to meet current and future instream and out-of-stream water needs, help state agencies identify and consider regional priorities, and provide a platform for continued collaboration to solve complex regional water issues.
Learn more about Place-Based Water Planning Grants.
Water Project Grants and Loans
Water Project Grants and Loans provides funding for projects that will help Oregon meet its instream and out-of-stream water supply needs and produce economic, environmental, and social/cultural benefits. This competitive funding opportunity is meant for implementation-ready projects.
Learn more about Water Project Grants and Loans Funding.
Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund
The Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund (WARRF) may reimburse qualifying low to moderate income homeowners for the cost to repair or replace and abandon a dry or severely declining well or a well that was damaged or destroyed by wildfire. The well must have provided water for household needs to individual households or members of a federally recognized tribe in Oregon.
Learn more about Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund grants.