Oregon committee hears testimony on bill to require landlords to test rental well water in groundwater management areas

Rep. Vanessa Hartman (D), sponsor of House Bill 3525A, told the House Committee on Rules on April 30 that the measure would require landlords of certain rental units that rely on exempt domestic wells to collect drinking-water samples, test for specified contaminants, disclose results to tenants and forward results to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

The bill narrowed in scope from earlier versions: it applies only to dwelling units that rely on exempt wells and are located within designated groundwater management areas under the dash A amendments, and it moves the bill's operative date from June 1, 2026, to June 1, 2027. The engrossed bill would require sampling for arsenic, E. coli, nitrate and lead; if results are below EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) testing would be every four years, and annually if results exceed limits. The dash 10 A amendment further changes the deadline for landlords to provide test results to tenants from “no less than 30 days” after landlords receive them to “within 30 days.”

Supporters including Roselyn Poten, water justice coordinator…