Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund

The Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund is administered by the Oregon Water Resources Department to address groundwater depletion impacts in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern. This program is designed to assist homeowners whose domestic water supply wells have been compromised due to declining groundwater levels. The department operates as a state-level agency responsible for water resource management, including well regulation, groundwater monitoring, and drought response. Through this fund, the agency provides targeted financial assistance to ensure continued access to safe and reliable household water supplies for eligible residents. The primary purpose of the grant is to reimburse qualifying homeowners for costs associated with repairing, replacing, and permanently abandoning domestic wells that are no longer able to supply sufficient water for essential household uses such as drinking, cooking, and bathing. The program specifically focuses on wells that are either already dry or at risk of going dry due to groundwater decline. Funding supports both technical and construction-related activities necessary to restore water access, including drilling, pump installation, electrical connections, and compliance with well construction standards. Funding is structured as a reimbursement model. Approved applicants may receive up to 75 percent of eligible costs, with a maximum of 10,000 dollars for well repair or replacement. In addition, if a well is replaced, the program may cover up to 100 percent of abandonment costs for the old well, capped at 3,500 dollars. Eligible expenses include drilling, casing, pumps, electrical wiring, and required regulatory fees, while ineligible costs include landscaping, interior plumbing, water treatment systems, and labor performed by the homeowner. The program does not provide upfront funding, requiring applicants to complete work and submit documentation before reimbursement is issued. Eligibility is limited to property owners within the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern who meet several strict requirements. Applicants must have owned the property for at least one year, and the property must serve as a primary residence either for the owner or a tenant. The home must have been constructed prior to April 15, 2016, and the well must supply water directly to the residence for essential household use. The well must not be part of a public or community water system, and no alternative water source may be available. Applicants are also prohibited from receiving funding from other sources for the same work, ensuring no duplication of benefits. The application process involves multiple stages, including submission, review, inspection, agreement execution, work completion, and reimbursement. Applicants must submit detailed cost estimates or receipts, proof of eligibility, and documentation related to the well. After submission, the department conducts a pre-award inspection and prioritizes applications based on criteria such as water availability, household income level, occupancy status, and geographic priority zones with the most severe groundwater decline. If approved, applicants enter into a grant agreement, complete the work using licensed professionals, and undergo a post-work inspection before receiving reimbursement. Applications are accepted through January 30, 2026, with a firm deadline at 5:00 PM. The program is not rolling and operates within a defined funding cycle supported by legislative appropriations. Funding is limited, and eligibility does not guarantee an award, as applications are ranked and funded until resources are exhausted. Applicants are notified of approval or denial following review and inspection processes. The program does not explicitly state a recurring cycle, though prior funding rounds have occurred, suggesting potential future availability subject to legislative funding. For assistance, applicants may contact the program via email at OWRD.Well.Funding@water.oregon.gov or by phone at 503-779-5763. The department provides guidance documents, informational sessions, and an online application portal to support applicants throughout the process. All grant payments are considered taxable income and are reported to the Internal Revenue Service, with recipients receiving a 1099-G form. The program ultimately serves as a critical intervention to maintain safe domestic water access in a region experiencing significant groundwater challenges.

Emphasize severity of water supply issue provide strong documentation of well failure include complete cost estimates and ensure eligibility criteria are fully met to improve prioritization ranking