Committee hears bill to let DEQ offer grants, principal forgiveness for failing septic systems

The Senate Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment held a public hearing on Senate Bill 830 on Oct. 12, 2025, to consider expanding the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality(DEQ) on-site septic financial aid program to allow grants and principal forgiveness as well as loans and to clarify eligibility for multi-unit residential housing.

Supporters and staff told the committee the change is designed to help low-income, elderly and fixed-income homeowners, and to ensure larger residential settings such as manufactured home parks, RV parks and apartments can qualify for assistance.

Ryan Huff, senior policy analyst for water-related programs at the DEQ, said SB 830 would add authorization for grants and other financial assistance tools that are not currently permitted under the agencys existing affordable loan program. "This aims to improve the options by which the state may offer financial assistance to rural Oregonians struggling to address the financial challenges associated with repairing or replacing on-site septic systems that have failed or are in disrepair," Huff said.

Huff ou…