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OWRD tells Klamath County about low groundwater reporting compliance and new well‑use rules
Summary
Oregon Water Resources Department staff told commissioners they are increasing enforcement of static groundwater‑level reporting (about 50% noncompliance statewide), outlined outreach and education plans for Klamath Basin water right holders, and summarized recent state bill changes affecting domestic and certain commercial well use and penalties for illegal water use.
Representatives from the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) briefed the Klamath County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 22 about statewide and local efforts to improve groundwater reporting compliance and recent state law changes affecting well use.
An OWRD presenter said static groundwater‑level reporting has been a condition in many permits since the 1990s but that compliance has historically been low: “We currently have about 50% of water rights that are noncompliant,” the presenter said, describing a statewide push to increase reporting. The department told the board it sent reminder letters this February to about 87 water‑right holders in the Klamath Basin and that roughly 120 groundwater rights in the basin include the reporting requirement.
OWRD asked water‑right holders to record static water‑level measurements in March or April (near the end of recharge) and again later in the season; staff said they will evaluate submissions in 2026 and may issue notices of violation or assessments to holders who fail to comply. An OWRD representative said the department follows a statutory penalty table and offered to provide the board with the exact penalty schedule.
The presenters summarized changes from House Bill 3372 affecting domestic and limited commercial well exemptions: the 15,000 gallons per day domestic exemption remains intact, and within the 5,000 gpd commercial/industrial allowance up to 3,000 gpd may now be used for commercial gardens (up to half an acre) for market sale — a use the speakers said was not explicitly allowed before.
OWRD staff also noted another recent bill referenced in the meeting that increases civil penalties tied to transported water used for illegal marijuana grows; staff said fines could reach into the tens of thousands of dollars and that OWRD will coordinate with sheriff offices and prosecutors to document illegal water use for enforcement. “It can levy substantial fines, I think, up to $25,000” was the description given in the session.
The department outlined outreach steps — a website, handouts, informational videos, K–12 classroom modules, realtor CEU materials and meetings with well drillers — intended to help water‑right holders comply and to improve communications about regulatory orders in the basin.
Ending: OWRD offered to follow up with the exact statutory penalty amounts and pledged to assist local law enforcement with documenting illegal water use; commissioners thanked staff and asked that further details be shared as available.
