Skip to main content

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

Funding Opportunities

Overview

The Department 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. We have a number of funding opportunities that 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.

Announcements

Grant Application Deadline

The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites applications for Water Project Grants and Loans (WPGL) projects and Irrigation Modernization projects.

  • Water Project Grants and Loans – provides grants for projects to evaluate, plan, and develop instream and out-of-stream water supply projects. Funding for Water Project Grants and Loans is provided through the sale of lottery revenue bonds. OWRD anticipates having $5 million available.
  • Irrigation Modernization Funding – provides grants for projects that improve water use efficiency of irrigation systems on currently irrigated agricultural lands. Funding for Irrigation Modernization Funding is provided through the sale of lottery revenue bonds. OWRD anticipates having $25 million available.

Water Project Grants and Loans

The Oregon Water Resources Commission awarded $13,984,445 in grants to fund six projects for the 2023 cycle of Water Project Grants and Loans.


Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund

OWRD provides reimbursement grants to low-to-moderate income households with domestic wells that are impacted by drought or wildfire. The Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund (WARRF) will reimburse qualifying homeowners for the cost to abandon, repair, or replace a dry or severely declining well. The dry or severely declining well must have provided household water for individual households, or members of a federally recognized tribe in Oregon.

The available funds have already been awarded. Once funding for new reimbursement grants is available again, the program will announce the reopening online.

Please see our website for the most current information.


Planning Grants

The Department is a funding partner in four places that are taking a collaborative, integrated approach to water planning. There is no funding currently available to support new water planning efforts. The Department is a funding partner in four places that are taking a collaborative, integrated approach to water planning. There is no funding currently available to support new water planning efforts.

Learn more about Planning Grants


Feasibility Study Grants

Feasibility Study Grants reimburse up to 50 percent of the costs of studies to evaluate the feasibility of developing water conservation, reuse, 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, with applications due each fall.

Learn more about Feasibility Study Grants


Water Project Grants & 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 applying for Water Project Grants and Loans.






For more information contact:
Kim Fritz-Ogren 503-509-7980

Other Resources: