The Oregon Water Resources Department will begin accepting applications for the Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund (HDWF) today, Tuesday, October 28. The HDWF may reimburse qualifying homeowners in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern (GHVGAC) for part of the cost to repair or replace and abandon a household well. The well must provide or have provided household water for homes constructed before April 15, 2016. If approved for funding, a homeowner could receive 75% of the cost (up to $10,000) to repair or replace the well. If the well is replaced, the old well must be abandoned, and an additional $3,500 may be awarded to cover those costs.

This is the second opportunity for homeowners to apply for HDWF funds - OWRD awarded $59,650 to six homeowners during the 2024 funding cycle. We have approximately $485k available to award. It is important to note that new resources are available this funding cycle, and we are accepting applications through our new grants portal. Below are this year’s application resources.

·        Harney Domestic Well Remediation Fund webpage

·        Harney Domestic Well Fund Application

·        Harney Domestic Well Fund Mapping Tool

·        2025-2026 Guidance for Homeowners Document

·        Short Informational Video

·        Application deadline: January 30, 2026, by 5 p.m.

If a homeowner is unable to apply online, please have them contact us at owrd.well.funding@water.oregon.gov or 503-779-5763 to request a paper application. Because the application will contain personally identifying information, it must be mailed to our Salem Headquarters' office and will not be accepted at any other OWRD office or by email. Paper applications must be postmarked by 5:00 PM on January 30, 2026.

If applicants reach out to you with questions, please put them in contact with OWRD grant staff via email at OWRD.Well.Funding@water.oregon.gov or by phone at 503-779-5763.

Attached is an updated Harney Domestic Well Fund Flyer. We would love it if you shared information about this funding opportunity with your community. We want to make sure we get the word out to the community about this opportunity in as many ways as possible!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me for any outreach/communications questions or to Lisa Kingsley, Harney Well Fund Grants Analyst, at 503-779-5763 for programmatic or application questions.

All the best,

Alexandria

Alexandria Scott

Engagement Coordinator (East Region), Director’s Office

725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, OR 97301 | Direct Phone: 503-871-4283 

Integrity | Service | Technical Excellence | Teamwork | Forward-Looking