Identify Your Drinking Water Source 

• How do I find out where my drinking water comes from?
• Where can I get more information on my public drinking water source?
• What are my legal rights as a renter?
• Who do I call if I have questions?

How do I find out where my drinking water comes from?

Most drinking water, particularly in urban areas, is obtained through public water systems that serve multiple homes or entire communities. These can be groundwater wells or surface water intakes (pipes drawing from streams and rivers). If a well or intake serves more than 3 homes or connections, it is regulated as a public water system in Oregon.

If you get a monthly water bill, the name and telephone number of your water system operator should be on the bill. Call this number for more information on the source of your drinking water. You can also access information on the water system using the Department of Human Services (DHS) Drinking Water Program’s on-line database (see “Data Online” and use the water system “WS Name Lookup” feature to find your water system.)

If you are a renter and do not receive a water bill, call your landlord for the water system operator's name. Other potential sources of information about your water include your local County Health Department, the local Water Resources Department Watermaster District Office at (503) 378-8455, or the Department of Human Services Drinking Water Program at (971) 673-0405.

In rural areas, household drinking water is commonly obtained through private wells (or less commonly, through surface water intakes). If your water comes from a household well or intake (serving 1-3 households), it is considered a "private" or "domestic" water supply” in Oregon. If you get your water from a private well or intake, you are responsible for its maintenance, testing and operation. DEQ provides information for private well owners.

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Where can I get more information on my public drinking water source?

Public water systems are required to sample and test for contamination on a regular basis, and report the results to the consumers. You can get the most recent "Consumer Confidence Report" for your water system from the water provider. You can find the contact person for your water system and access the most recent test results on the DHS Drinking Water Program website. Click on "Data Online" and use the "WS Name Look Up" or "WS ID Look Up" to access system information.

Additional resources for understanding public water system regulations and treatment can be also be found on the DHS Drinking Water Program website. The “Forms/Tools/Fact Sheets” Section (in the left sidebar) has many topics of common interest including testing and disinfection requirements, requirements for public notification, information on home treatment systems, and individual factsheets on the possible health effects of drinking water with various chemicals.

For additional assistance with understanding public water system regulations and treatment, you can call the DHS Drinking Water Program at (971) 673-0405.

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What are my legal rights as a renter?

The Oregon Residential Landlord Tenant Act (ORS 90.320) requires that all landlords maintain their rental units in a habitable condition, including providing a water supply maintained so as to provide "safe drinking water". If a renter has contaminated drinking water, the landlord is responsible for fixing or replacing the plumbing, or providing another source of safe drinking water. For mobile home parks that supply water to each home, the owner of park is responsible for providing safe drinking water to the homes.

For more information on your individual rights, contact a private attorney or call "Legal Aid Services of Oregon" (a nonprofit assistance organization) at 1-800-228-6958.

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Who do I call if I have questions?

Questions about regulations, water quality and testing

• For public water supplies:
  DHS Drinking Water Program at (971) 673-0405 (the duty officer will assist you)
• For private wells - well construction, maintenance and abandonment
  Oregon Department of Water Resources at (503) 986-0851
• For private wells - water quality and testing
  Please see the Oregon State University Extension Service website or contact the DHS Drinking Water Program at (971) 673-0405 (the duty officer will assist you).

Questions about protecting a well or surface water intake from contamination

• For private wells:
  Please see the Oregon State University Extension Service website or contact the DHS Drinking Water Program at (971) 673-0405 (the duty officer will assist you).
• For public water supplies:
  Sheree Stewart at DEQ, (503) 229- 5413 or Tom Pattee at DHS (541) 726-2587 x24 as primary contacts.
  
  You can also refer to the DEQ Drinking Water Protection website. See especially the section, "Technical Assistance". There are many excellent resources, links to information and documents that can be used to assist in developing strategies for protection of your source water.

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