House Bill 3419: What’s Next for Well Monitoring and Reporting?
Oregon House Bill 3419 has the potential to restrict how much water homeowners can pump from their exempt (non-permitted) wells. It requires meters to record water usage. This bill also focuses on constructing consistency in how water use is measured and reported, in hopes to refine water enforcement procedures.
Most types of water use require the user to obtain a permit from the Oregon Water Resources Department (“OWRD”). But Oregon law currently considers domestic use of up to 15,000 gallons of groundwater per day, including irrigation of lawns and non-commercial gardens less than one-half acre, exempt from permitting and reporting requirements. This could change under HB 3419.
Public Feedback
Public response to House Bill 3419 has been mixed. While environmental protection organizations like WaterWatch of Oregon, the Nature Conservancy, and the Oregon Environmental Council support the passage of House Bill 3419, many individuals have provided public comments in opposition. The Oregon Water Resources Congress (“OWRC”) also opposes HB 3419, stating, “We are not opposed generally to measurement and reporting… However [HB 3419] would provide OWRD with overly broad authority that will only compete with and undermine other ongoing water management efforts.”
Mark Owens, Oregon State Representative for House District 60, has said he is opposed to any bill that would establish constraints for rural residents who rely on exempt wells for their domestic water. House District 60 includes Baker, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, and part of Deschutes Counties in central and eastern Oregon. Many residents of these rural counties rely on private wells to obtain domestic water. Owens’ aim is to make things less complicated for Oregonians. H wants to ensure access to secure and reliable water for their homes. He spoke about possibly setting up a fund to support repairs and replacements of wells that have been affected by droughts, fires, and contamination.
Conclusion
It is important that well owners, especially those who rely on exempt wells for domestic use, maintain awareness of potential rules and regulations that could require additional procedure concerning their water access. House Bill 3419 is currently in front of the Oregon House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. There are no scheduled hearings on this bill, and the deadline to submit testimony has expired. We will continue to monitor the progress of HB 3419, so check back for updates! If you’re interested in learning more about ongoing water right issues, visit our the Schroeder Law Offices, PC blog!
More Information about House Bill 3419
- Oregon Well Owners Face New Restrictions: State Proposes Controversial Monitoring Plan – The Hillsboro Herald
- Farmers fret water meter mandate (HB 3419 hearing) | Oregon Catalyst
- Good News – The Oregon Legislature is Not Trying to Meter Your Domestic Well – Oregon Property Owners Association
- Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water House 2025 Regular Session – Oregon Legislative Information System
- OWRC Testimony
