LOC News
WRD, DEQ Combine to Implement HB 2169
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is part of a statewide team committed to encouraging water reuse and expanding opportunities in Oregon to protect public health and the environment. House Bill 2169 from the 2025 legislative session contains a provision that calls for agencies to work together and overcome institutional and regulatory barriers and funding constraints to improve policies and internal operations related to water reuse.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will establish and lead an interagency water reuse team including OWRD, the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other agencies defined by ORS 174.111, as requested by the DEQ.
The DEQ, in consultation with wastewater utilities and interested parties will:
a. Provide training and education to state agency staff, potential reuse project applicants, and the public on the benefits and drivers of water reuse projects and the state policy to encourage and expand opportunities in reuse; and
b. Identify and work toward resolution of internal barriers within agencies, information needs within agencies, and conflicts between agencies, to better enable state agencies to encourage and support expanded water reuse in Oregon.
Additionally, the DEQ will: evaluate environmentally protective approaches that have been successfully employed by other state water reuse programs; identify and propose regulatory changes needed to overcome barriers to water reuse, including changes to state agency policies and internal guidance, administrative rules, and state statutes; and develop technical assistance guidance for local governments, industries, and nongovernmental organizations seeking permitting, along with the development of water reuse programs.
Included in HB 2169 are parameters for establishing goals and performance metrics on water reuse development in Oregon: No later than December 15 of each odd-numbered year, DEQ, in coordination with the interagency water reuse team, will submit a progress report on the water reuse development goals.
OWRD’s Reuse Coordinator, Kerri Cope, will be working alongside the DEQ and other agencies to comply with HB 2169. The passage of HB 2169 provides more strength across state agencies to pursue water reuse.
Contact: Kerri Copy, Reuse Coordinator – Kerri.H.COPE@water.oregon.gov
Last Updated 11/21/25