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Focus program resources on areas of highest public health benefit. Promote voluntary compliance
with standards and emphasize prevention of contamination through drinking water source protection,
technical assistance to water systems and training of system operators. Goals and Objectives:
Top of Page The Oregon Drinking Water Program was created in its current form by the 1981 Oregon Legislative Assembly through passage of the Oregon Drinking Water Quality Act (Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 448. The Act mandated a comprehensive regulatory program for public water systems combining technical assistance and training with development and enforcement of standards for water quality and for water system construction and operation. During 1977-81, when there was no significant state level Drinking Water Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staffed an office in Oregon to implement the original federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). With passage of the Oregon Drinking Water Quality Act, the Oregon Program was created and over the past twelve years has taken increasing responsiblities. Staffing levels were increased by the 1983 legislature to augment technical assistance efforts. The 1985 legislature authorized the Health Services to apply for primary administrative responsibility, called Primacy, for the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. In 1986, the Division's application for Primacy was approved by the EPA, ending dual federal and state regulation of public water systems in Oregon and making the Division solely responsible for administering both state and federal drinking water regulations. The EPA program in Oregon was disbanded and funding transferred to the Health Division. The legislature added operator certification responsiblities in 1987 and new groundwater protection activities in 1989. In 1991, the legislature authorized the Safe Drinking Water Funding Program to assist communities in financing drinking water construction projects. The 1993 legislature created the Water Fund for safe drinking water and wastewater improvement construction projects. Division authority to conduct a cross connection control program was also authorized. The working philosophy of the Drinking Water Program follows from the intent of the 1981 act and discussions that led to its passage. This philosophy emphasizes prevention activities which promote voluntary compliance with drinking water standards combined with the use of formal enforcement actions when necessary. Prevention consists of training and technical assistance provided to system operators and the public by state and county staff as well as by other organizations. This philosophy has led to the formation of partnership with shared responsiblity for safe drinking water made up of Program staff, local health departments, system operators and managers, private consulting and service firms, professional water industry organizations and educational institutions throughout Oregon. The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 were signed into law by President Clinton on August 6, 1996. This was the culmination of a long effort by water professionals and interested parties around the country to reform and refocus the national safe drinking water program. It provided funds for a State Revolving Loan program, allowed staff flexibility in addressing water quality problems and designing solutions tailored to local needs. Top of Page The DWP is divided into three core work units. The Administrative unit is responsible for program management and direction, budget and legislative work, interagency coordination, groundwater studies, wellhead protection and water system funding assistance. The Monitoring and Compliance unit receives and manages all laboratory data submitted by public water systems, develops and maintains the the automated database management system, keeps a detailed inventory of systems and facilities, develops compliance reports and manages the State EPA Agreement. The unit also manages county health department contracts, coordinates Program activities with lab certification efforts and carries out the operator certification program. The Field Services unit provides direct technical assistance to water systems throughout Oregon. Within contract counties , Field Services are responsible for the larger community systems (>3,300 population) and all communities using surface water sources. In direct service counties where there is no environmental health program or where the county does not elect to perform water program work, Field Services staff serve all public water systems. Because they are facing increasingly complex water quality regulations and problems, water systems of all types and sizes frequently need assistance with and advice on technical aspects of the drinking water standards, their health significance, source protection efforts, water treatment issues and operation and maintenance problems. The unit also provides support and assistance to county health department staff; reviews plans for new systems and modifications of existing water system facilities; and manages a statewide cross connection control program. The field services unit is organized to serve three regional areas which covers the State of Oregon. Other programs and agencies also provide key contributions to drinking water effort. Laboratory work in support of the Program or county investigative or follow-up actions is carried out through a joint agreement between laboratories of the Health Services (Public Health Laboratory) and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Agriculture. Each agency specializes in a different aspect of analysis of water samples. The Program also works with the Department of Agriculture to assure that facilities it licenses that have public water systems meet the drinking water needs. Top of Page What is the Drinking Water Program Prepared to Guarantee? Generally:
Response to Water Quality Problems:
Contamination Prevention:
Public Inquiries and Assistance:
Computer Data Management:
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