Salem, Oregon – Oregon’s deepening drought is pressing into homes, not just fields and rivers, and Governor Tina Kotek is asking state lawmakers to move quickly before a key well-water aid program runs dry.
This week, Kotek urged the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board to add $1 million to the state’s Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund, known as WARRF. The program helps low- to moderate-income homeowners repair or replace domestic wells that have gone dry or are producing too little water.
“Nearly half of Oregon’s counties are now under drought emergency status, and Oregonians who rely on domestic wells are counting on the state to do all it can to ensure they have continued access to safe, clean water,” Governor Kotek said. “This funding is absolutely critical in this moment, and I am committed to ensuring these dollars get out the door to the communities that need help.”
The request comes as drought emergencies have been declared in 17 Oregon counties. State officials point to historically low snowpack and years of below-normal precipitation, conditions they say have created drought impacts not seen since at least 2015.
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For families who depend on private wells, the problem can become urgent fast. A dry or failing well can mean no reliable water for drinking, cooking, bathing or other basic household needs. Repairs can also be expensive, especially in rural areas where many homes are not connected to public water systems.
WARRF is administered by the Oregon Water Resources Department. The Legislature first created the fund in 2021 and most recently added money to it in 2025. But without new support, the department expects the remaining funds to be used up this month.
The program can provide grants of up to $40,000. The money may be used to repair a dry or sharply declining well, or to abandon and replace a well damaged or destroyed by wildfire when it no longer supplies enough water for essential home use.
“Access to clean, reliable water is essential,” Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane) said. “When a family’s well runs dry, fixing or replacing it can be a major expense. Investing in the WARRF helps ensure Oregonians — especially those in rural or drought-affected areas — can keep water flowing at home. For many, this support is the difference between having a working well and having no water at all.”
Well owners facing water-supply problems are encouraged to visit owrd.info/drywell for maintenance tips, troubleshooting help and dry-well reporting. Current drought conditions, conservation guidance and additional resources are available at drought.oregon.gov.
