Oregon Homeowners With Dry Wells Could Get More Help as Drought Worsens

In light of the worsening drought, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek urged the state Legislature’s Emergency Board to allocate an additional $1 million into a program that helps low- to moderate-income homeowners repair or replace dry or underproducing domestic wells.

Drought Puts Oregon Home Well Water Under Pressure

Following a historically low snowpack and multi-year precipitation deficits that have produced conditions not seen since at least 2015, Governor Kotek declared drought emergencies in 17 Oregon counties.

With nearly half of Oregon’s counties now under drought emergency status, more Oregonians are relying on domestic wells.

Kotek’s emergency proposal would provide homeowners with assistance to restore drinking water when domestic wells run dry in drought- or wildfire-impacted counties facing water-supply challenges.

Established in 2021, Oregon’s Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund (WARRF) (administered by the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD)) provides financial assistance to low- to moderate-income homeowners experiencing issues with well water supply.

But OWRD anticipates all remaining funds will be exhausted this month and requested $1 million from the Emergency Board.

WARRF grants of up to $40,000 could help cover the cost of repairing a dry or severely declining well, or abandoning and replacing a well damaged or destroyed by wildfire when it can no longer provide enough water for essential household uses like drinking, cooking, and bathing.

Well owners experiencing water supply issues can:

• Visit info/drywell for maintenance tips, troubleshooting resources, and to report dry or underproducing wells.
• Visit oregon.gov for current conditions, water conservation tips, and more information about drought.