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Reclaimed Water

Oregon Water Resources Department (WRD) records contain water rights dating back to the early 1960’s authorizing the land application of treated municipal and industrial wastewater.  Beginning in the mid-1970s, municipalities were faced with increased pressure to either stop discharging treated wastewater into streams or treat the wastewater to a much higher quality before discharged.

In 1991, an easier “registration” process was established, allowing the reuse of treated municipal wastewater without obtaining a formal water use permit from WRD.  Since 1991, water reuse has increased and more than 100 Municipal Reclaimed Water Registrations have been filed with the Department.