Oregon Water Resources Department – Pay Bill, Contact & Services Guide

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Oregon Water Resources Department Guide

Contact OWRD, Pay Agency Fees, Find Water Rights, or Use the Right Oregon Water Resource Tool

The Oregon Water Resources Department is not a city water bill department. It is the State of Oregon agency for water rights, wells, groundwater, watermasters, water-use reporting, drought resources, dam safety and water data.

Use this guide to reach the right official page for OWRD payments, water right applications, well recording fees, local watermaster help, water rights searches, forms, drought information and public records.

Official OWRD Site Call OWRD Online Payments Find Water Rights
Main Phone 503-986-0900 General OWRD contact and customer service routing.
Salem Office 725 Summer Street NE Suite A, Salem, OR 97301.
Office Hours 8 AM–5 PM Lobby closed 12–1 PM and cannot accept deliveries during that time.
Not a Utility Bill Office State agency Use your city, county or local utility for household water bills.

First: Do You Need OWRD or a Local Water Utility?

Many users search this page expecting a normal water bill payment portal. OWRD is different. Use the table below so you do not pay the wrong place or call the wrong office.

Your need
Correct place to go
Practical next step
Pay a city household water bill
Your city, county or local water utility
Search your bill for the utility name. OWRD is not the normal bill-pay office.
Apply for a water right
OWRD Water Rights program
Open the water right permit and forms pages before submitting anything.
Find water rights for a property
OWRD Water Right Information Search
Use property, water right or location information to search records.
Pay an OWRD fee
OWRD Online Payments
Use the official OWRD payment page, not a utility payment portal.
Well recording fee
OWRD Groundwater and Wells page
Check the official well recording fee page and current requirements.
Water quality complaint
DEQ or Oregon Health Authority
OWRD handles water quantity and rights; quality issues go to the appropriate health or environmental agency.

Choose the Official OWRD Service You Need

OWRD covers several different water-related tasks. Start with the closest match below.

Water right application Groundwater, surface water, reservoir and alternate reservoir application paths. Apply help
Forms and fee estimator Application forms, transfer forms, drought forms, fee schedule and fee estimator. Forms guide
Find water rights Search water right records, maps, diversion points and places of use. Search help
Local watermaster Find the correct regional contact for regulation and local water questions. Watermaster help
Wells and recording fee Use official well pages for exempt well recording and groundwater topics. Well fee help
Drought or public notices Check official drought resources and subscribe to OWRD notices. Notices help

How to Apply for an Oregon Water Right

Oregon generally requires a water right for many non-exempt uses of surface water or groundwater. OWRD explains that common application types include groundwater, surface water, reservoir and alternate reservoir applications.

  1. Open the official application page.
    Start with: Apply for a Water Use Permit.
  2. Identify the water source and use.
    Decide whether your application involves groundwater, surface water, reservoir storage or another water right path.
  3. Use the correct form and map requirements.
    OWRD requires proper forms and accurate maps showing the proposed source and place of use.
  4. Estimate fees before submission.
    Use the official fee schedule or online fee estimator before mailing or submitting anything.
  5. Contact OWRD if unsure.
    Call 503-986-0900 or email the customer service team if you are unsure which application fits.
Important: Water rights are legal property and can affect land use, farming, wells, reservoirs and property value. For complex cases, speak with OWRD and consider professional help from a certified water right examiner or qualified water-right professional.

OWRD Forms, Fee Schedule and Online Fee Estimator

The official forms page is where users should go for water right application forms, drought forms, supplemental forms, transfer forms, fee schedules and the online fee estimator.

Need
Official resource
Why it matters
Water right forms
Water Rights Forms
Use the current official form instead of an old PDF from another website.
All agency forms
All Agency Forms
Useful for transfers, amendments, assignments, well and agency-specific forms.
Fee estimate
OWRD Fee Calculator
Application fees vary by type, rate, volume and authorization requested.
Online agency payment
OWRD Online Payments
Use this for OWRD-related payments, not local water bills.
Practical tip: Do not submit a water right application with an old fee amount. Check the current fee page or calculator before sending payment.

How to Find Oregon Water Rights for a Property

If you are buying land, planning irrigation, using a well, operating a farm or reviewing a property sale, water rights can matter. OWRD maintains water right records and online search tools.

  1. Open the official Water Right Information Search.
    Use: Water Right Information Search.
  2. Gather property information first.
    Useful details may include county, township/range/section, tax lot, owner name, stream name, well information or water right number.
  3. Review both records and maps.
    Water rights may involve points of diversion, places of use, priority dates, conditions and certificate or permit status.
  4. Check conditions carefully.
    Some rights have measurement, reporting, season, rate, source or other conditions.
  5. Contact OWRD or a watermaster if unclear.
    Water right records can be technical. Get help before relying on a quick search result.

Find Your Local Oregon Watermaster

Watermasters help with local water-right regulation and field questions. If your issue involves local water use, stream diversions, enforcement, priority calls or local water-right administration, the watermaster may be the correct contact.

Use the official lookup: Open OWRD’s Watermaster Districts page or the agency directory to find the right local contact.

Before contacting a watermaster, prepare this

  • County and property location.
  • Water right number, permit number or certificate number if known.
  • Source name, well information or diversion location.
  • Photos or maps if they explain the issue.
  • A short timeline of what happened and what you need clarified.

Oregon Wells, Exempt Well Recording Fee and Groundwater Help

OWRD also handles well and groundwater topics. Some new wells that do not require a water right still have recording requirements and fees.

Well recording fee Check the official page for exempt well recording requirements and current fee instructions. Recording fee
Groundwater and wells Use OWRD well resources for well construction, records, reporting and groundwater topics. Well resources
Water quality concern OWRD is not the main water quality agency. Check DEQ or Oregon Health Authority for contamination concerns. OWRD FAQ

Drought Information, Public Notices and Email Updates

OWRD posts drought information, public notices, meeting agendas, rulemaking notices and staff reports. If your work depends on Oregon water rights or regulatory updates, email notifications are useful.

Update type
Official resource
Best use
Drought information
OWRD drought page
Check current drought declarations, maps, resources and state water conditions.
Email subscriptions
OWRD email notifications
Get public notices, meeting agendas, rulemaking notices and staff reports.
Public records
Public records request
Request records not easily available through public search tools.

Official Oregon Water Resources Department Links

Use these official State of Oregon resources instead of the old NYC water bill links on the existing page.

OWRD Home

Main Oregon Water Resources Department website.

Open OWRD
Contact OWRD

Official contact details, phone, office address and agency routing.

Open contact page
Online Payments

Official OWRD online payment page for agency-related payments.

Open payments
Apply for a Water Use Permit

Groundwater, surface water and reservoir application information.

Open permit page
Water Rights Forms

Application forms, drought forms, transfer forms and fee estimator access.

Open forms
Water Right Search

Find water right records and related information.

Open search
Water Rights FAQ

Official answers about permits, fees, reporting, ownership updates and water quality routing.

Open FAQ
Well Recording Fee

Official guidance for recording fee on certain new exempt wells.

Open well fee

Map to Oregon Water Resources Department Salem Office

OWRD’s Salem office is listed at 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, OR 97301. The office hours are 8 AM to 5 PM, with lobby closure from 12 PM to 1 PM.

Oregon Water Resources Department FAQs

Is Oregon Water Resources Department a local water bill department?

No. OWRD is a State of Oregon agency for water rights, water data, wells, watermasters, drought resources and water-use regulation. To pay a household water bill, use the city, county or utility name printed on your bill.

What is the Oregon Water Resources Department phone number?

Call 503-986-0900 for the Oregon Water Resources Department main contact line.

Where is OWRD located?

The Oregon Water Resources Department is located at 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, OR 97301.

Can I pay OWRD fees online?

Yes. Use the official OWRD Online Payments page for agency-related payments. Do not use a city water bill portal for OWRD fees.

How do I apply for an Oregon water right?

Start with the official Apply for a Water Use Permit page and use current OWRD forms. Application types include groundwater, surface water, reservoir and alternate reservoir applications.

How do I find water rights for Oregon property?

Use OWRD’s Water Right Information Search and maps. Gather county, property, water source, owner, permit, certificate or location information before searching.

Does OWRD handle water quality complaints?

OWRD says it monitors the amount of water being used. For water quality problems, contact the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality or Oregon Health Authority.

Do Oregon wells have a recording fee?

Some new Oregon wells that do not require a water right are subject to a one-time recording fee. Check the official OWRD well recording fee page for current rules and payment instructions.

How do I find my local Oregon watermaster?

Use the official Watermaster Districts page or agency directory to locate the watermaster for your area.

How do I get OWRD public notices?

Use OWRD’s official email notifications page to subscribe to public notices, meeting agendas, rulemaking notices and staff reports.

Is WaterBillGuide.us the official Oregon Water Resources Department?

No. WaterBillGuide.us is an independent informational guide. It does not represent OWRD, process official applications, approve water rights or accept state agency payments.

Best Next Step for Oregon Water Resources Department Users

If you are trying to pay a household water bill, check your local utility first. If you need a water right, well recording fee, watermaster contact, OWRD form, water rights record or agency payment, use the official OWRD links above and call 503-986-0900 if you are unsure.

Official OWRD Call 503-986-0900 Online Payments Water Right Search

Editorial Review and Independent Guide Disclaimer

This article was rewritten because the existing Oregon Water Resources Department page incorrectly used New York City water bill links, NYC phone numbers and a Flushing, NY address. This replacement focuses on the official State of Oregon Water Resources Department and its water rights, well, data, forms, fee and public contact resources.

WaterBillGuide.us is not the Oregon Water Resources Department. We do not process state payments, approve water rights, issue permits, interpret legal rights, manage wells or represent the State of Oregon. For official decisions, use OWRD directly.

Official resources checked include OWRD Home, Contact, Online Payments, Apply for a Water Use Permit, Water Rights Forms, Water Right Information Search, Water Rights FAQ, Watermaster resources, Drought resources, Email Notifications and Well Recording Fee pages.

Water Bill Payment, Leak & Utility Help Toolkit

Use this free helper to find the official water bill portal, avoid unsafe payment pages, handle late bills, troubleshoot high usage, prepare start/stop service documents, and contact the utility office with the right details.

Find official payment pages safely
Prepare before late fees or shutoff
Check high bill and leak causes
Useful on every city water guide

Official Water Bill Portal Finder

Enter your city, state, and utility name. This tool creates safe search shortcuts for the official bill pay portal, customer service page, outage line, and start/stop service page.

Safety tip: Use the official city, county, or utility website when paying a water bill. Do not enter card or bank details on a page that only looks like a payment portal but does not clearly identify the official utility.

Safe Water Bill Payment Checklist

Before paying online, use this checklist to reduce the risk of wrong payment, duplicate payment, missed receipt, or third-party confusion.

Important: Some official utilities use third-party processors. That can be normal, but the payment processor should be linked from the official utility website and show clear fee/payment details.

Late Bill, Shutoff Notice & Reconnection Action Plan

Select your situation and get practical next steps. This helps users act quickly without guessing.

Do not wait: If you received a shutoff notice, online payment alone may not stop disconnection. Call the utility billing office and save your confirmation number.

High Water Bill & Leak Troubleshooter

A high bill can be caused by leaks, irrigation, estimated readings, seasonal use, or account/meter issues. Choose the closest problem below.

Quick leak test Turn off all water, then check whether the meter still moves.
Toilet check Put food coloring in tank. If color reaches bowl without flushing, there may be a leak.
Ask utility Request usage history, meter reread, leak adjustment policy, and payment arrangement options.

Start, Stop or Transfer Water Service Checklist

Moving in or out? Choose your situation and prepare the details most utilities commonly request.

Your preparation checklist

Move-out tip: Ask for a final meter read, final bill date, refund/deposit process, and confirmation number when stopping service.

Payment Assistance & Arrangement Finder

If you cannot pay the full water bill, this guide helps you decide what to ask before disconnection or extra fees.

Helpful document list: Keep your account number, photo ID, service address, bill copy, shutoff notice, income proof if needed, repair receipt if leak-related, and payment confirmation numbers.

Water Department Call Script Generator

Generate a clear call or email script before contacting the utility billing office.