Overview
The Department seeks to build partnerships and incentivize Oregonians to pursue integrated and innovative solutions for complex water challenges and an uncertain water future. This work is accomplished through strategic investments, adaptive planning, cooperative partnerships, accessible information, and effective coordination. We have a number of funding opportunities that allow us to strategically invest in order to achieve a secure and sustainable water future, addressing instream and out-of-stream needs, for all Oregonians and Oregon's environment, economy, communities, and cultures. Learn more about our funding opportunities below.
Announcements
Grant Application Deadline – Feasibility Study Grants
The Oregon Water Resources Department invites applications for studies to evaluate the feasibility of developing water conservation, reuse, and storage projects through the Feasibility Study Grant funding opportunity. OWRD expects to have between $400K and $1.4M available, depending on the outcome of the 2025 Legislative Session and OWRD’s 2025-2027 budget.
Grant Application Deadline – Irrigation Modernization Funding
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites applications for Irrigation Modernization projects that improve water use efficiency of irrigation systems on currently irrigated agricultural lands. This funding opportunity provides match for specific Federal funding opportunities and invests in projects that meet water supply needs and result in public economic, environmental, and social/cultural public benefits. Funding for Irrigation Modernization Funding is provided through the sale of lottery revenue bonds. OWRD anticipates having $19.6 million available.
Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund
OWRD’s
Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund may reimburse qualifying
homeowners in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern
(GHVGAC) for a portion of the cost to repair or replace and abandon a
dry, severely declining, or at-risk household water well impacted by
declining groundwater levels. The well must have provided household
water for individual households, or members of a federally recognized
tribe in Oregon.
Learn more about the Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund.
Planning Grants
The Department is a funding partner in four places that are taking a collaborative, integrated approach to water planning. There is no funding currently available to support new water planning efforts. The Department is a funding partner in four places that are taking a collaborative, integrated approach to water planning. There is no funding currently available to support new water planning efforts.
Feasibility Study Grants
Feasibility Study Grants reimburse up to 50 percent of the costs of studies to evaluate the feasibility of developing water conservation, reuse, and storage projects. This competitive funding opportunity helps individuals and communities investigate whether a proposed project idea is actually feasible and worth pursuing. Grants are offered on an annual basis.
Learn more about Feasibility Study Grants
Water Project Grants & Loans
Water Project Grants and Loans provides funding for projects that will help Oregon meet its instream and out-of-stream water supply needs and produce economic, environmental, and social/cultural benefits. This competitive funding opportunity is meant for implementation-ready projects.
Learn more about applying for Water Project Grants and Loans.
Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund
The Well Abandonment, Repair, and Replacement Fund (WARRF) may reimburse qualifying low to moderate income homeowners for the cost to repair or replace and abandon a dry or severely declining well or a well that was damaged or destroyed by wildfire. The well must have provided water for household needs to individual households or members of a federally recognized tribe in Oregon.
Applications will be accepted year-round, depending on availability of funds.
Please see the website to learn more about applying for a WARRF grant.