Oregon’s New Exempt Well Mapping and Fee Requirements

The 2009 Legislative Session was full of excitement for Oregon’s water users. Specifically, new laws face those looking to drill a new ground water well for an exempt use. Oregon’s exempt ground water uses are outlined in ORS 537.545. These exempt uses include drilling a well for single or group domestic purposes not exceeding 15,000 gallons a day.

This “exempt” ground water statute, as amended by 2009 legislation (Senate Bill 788), now requires those drilling a new well for an exempt use to: 1) file a map with Oregon Water Resources Department showing the location of the well, and 2) pay a one-time fee of $300.00 to record the exempt use. Both the map and the fee must be submitted to Oregon Water Resources Department within 30 days after the completion of well construction.

According to the Department, these fees will be used to evaluate ground water supplies, carry out ground water monitoring, conduct ground water studies, and process the data collected.

For additional information on the new exempt ground water requirements, please contact our office at (503)281-4100.

Link to Exempt Well Statute: ORS 537.545