ORS 537.780: Powers of Water Resources Commission; rules; limitations on authority.

(1) In the administration of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992, the Water Resources Commission may: (a) Require that all flowing wells be capped or equipped with valves so that the flow of ground water may be completely stopped when the ground water is not actually being applied to a beneficial use. (b) Enforce: (A) General standards for the construction, alteration, abandonment, conversion or maintenance of wells and their casings, fittings, valves, pumps and backflow prevention devices; and (B) Special standards for the construction, alteration, abandonment, conversion or maintenance of particular wells and their casings, fittings, valves and pumps. (c)(A) Adopt by rule and enforce when necessary to protect the ground water resource, standards for the construction, maintenance, abandonment or use of any hole through which ground water may be contaminated; or (B) Enter into an agreement with, or advise, other state agencies that are responsible for holes other than wells through which ground water may be contaminated in order to protect the ground water resource from contamination. (d) Enforce uniform standards for the scientific measurement of water levels and of ground water flowing or withdrawn from wells. (e) Enter upon any lands for the purpose of inspecting wells, including wells exempt under ORS 537.545, casings, fittings, valves, pipes, pumps, measuring devices and backflow prevention devices. (f) Prosecute actions and suits to enjoin violations of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992, and appear and become a party to any action, suit or proceeding in any court or before any administrative body when it appears to the satisfaction of the commission that the determination of the action, suit or proceeding might be in conflict with the public policy expressed in ORS 537.525. (g) Call upon and receive advice and assistance from the Environmental Quality Commission or any other public agency or any person, and enter into cooperative agreements with a public agency or person. (h) Adopt and enforce rules necessary to carry out the provisions of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992 including but not limited to rules governing: (A) The form and content of registration statements, certificates of registration, applications for permits, permits, certificates of completion, ground water right certificates, notices, proofs, maps, drawings, logs and licenses; (B) Procedure in hearings held by the commission; and (C) The circumstances under which the helpers of persons operating well drilling machinery may be exempt from the requirement of direct supervision by a licensed water well constructor. (i) In accordance with applicable law regarding search and seizure, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for a warrant to seize any well drilling machine used in violation of ORS 537.747 or 537.753. (2) In the administration of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992 in a ground water quality management area, as defined in ORS 468B.150, the Water Resources Department shall require compliance with backflow prevention rules. (3) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (1) of this section, in administering the provisions of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992, the commission may not: (a) Adopt any rule restricting ground water use in an area unless the rule is based on substantial evidence in the record of the Water Resources Department to justify the imposition of restrictions. (b) Make any determination that a ground water use will impair, substantially interfere or unduly interfere with a surface water source unless the determination is based on substantial evidence. Such evidence may include reports or studies prepared with relation to the specific use or may be based on the application of generally accepted hydrogeological principles to the specific use. (4) At least once every three years, the commission shall review any rule adopted under subsection (3) of this section that restricts ground water use in an area. The review process shall include public notice and an opportunity to comment on the rule. (5) The commission may establish by rule, and enforce, backflow prevention standards for the use of surface water in a ground water quality concern area or a ground water quality management area, as those terms are defined in ORS 468B.150. [1955 c.708 §32; 1981 c.416 §7; 1985 c.673 §73; 1989 c.833 §60; 1995 c.549 §2; 2021 c.610 §14; 2025 c.605 §38]