Oregon DEQ: Water Quality - Groundwater Protection

Groundwater protection in Oregon occurs at the federal, state and local level through various agencies. Oregon administers many groundwater-related Federal programs including the Clean Water Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

In addition to these federal laws, Oregon has its own laws and regulations relating to groundwater protection. Similarly, local governments may regulate groundwater through local ordinances in addition to assisting state and federal agencies in enforcing groundwater regulations. Groundwater protection can also occur through non-regulatory means such as education, voluntary programs, and local groups.

STATE REGULATIONS
DEQ Water Quality Division (see also Oregon's Groundwater Protection Program)	Oregon Groundwater Quality Protection Act of 1989 - The goal of the Oregon Groundwater Quality Protection Act is to prevent contamination of groundwater and to conserve, restore, and maintain Oregon’s groundwater resource for present and future uses. Oregon Revised Statutes 468B.150 to ORS 468B.190 Groundwater Quality Protection Rules - OAR 340-040 Underground Injection Control Rules - OAR 340-044 NPDES and WPCF Permits Program Rules - OAR 340-045 Biosolids Program Rules - OAR 340-050 Reclaimed Water Program Rules - OAR 340-055 On-site Sewage Disposal Program Rules - OAR 340-071 and OAR 340-073
DEQ Land Quality Division	Municipal Solid Waste Program - OAR 340-093, OAR 340-094, OAR 340-095, and OAR 340-096 Hazardous Waste Management Program - OAR 340-120 and OAR 340-122 Underground Storage Tank Program - OAR 340-150
Oregon Water Resources Department (WRD)	WRD Rules
Oregon Department of Human Services Drinking Water Program (DHS-DWP)	Oregon Drinking Water Rules
Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA)	ODA Rules

FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)	Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act)	Enacted in 1948, amended in 1972 and 1987. Before 1987, most attention was given to surface water quality. 1987 amendment placed more emphasis on groundwater quality. Provided for the regulation and permitting of discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States. Provided the authority to implement wastewater standards for industry and water quality standards for contaminants in surface water. 1987 amendments authorized the State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, more commonly known as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).
	Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)	Enacted in 1974, amended in 1986. Authorizes EPA to develop regulations, set national drinking water quality standards, and develop programs to protect public water supplies. Authorizes the regulation of Underground Injection Control wells, development and oversight of the Source Water Protection program (including Wellhead Protection), and designation of Sole Source Aquifers.
	The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)	Enacted in 1976, amended in 1984. Regulates the handling, transport and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, and underground storage tanks. Defines solid and hazardous wastes; authorizes the setting of standards for hazardous waste facilities. Established a permit program for solid and hazardous waste disposal. Focuses on active and future facilities; does not address abandoned or historical sites. Subtitle C covers the regulation of hazardous wastes. Subtitle D regulates municipal solid waste landfills and all other nonhazardous wastes not covered in Subtitle C (such as sewage sludge and surface impoundments). Subtitle I regulates underground storage tanks and provides for response to leaking tanks.
	The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund)	Enacted in 1980 The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) amended CERCLA in 1986. CERCLA created a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries and provided broad Federal authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that pose threats to public health or the environment.
	The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)	Enacted in 1947, amended in 1972, 1988, and 1996 Authorizes EPA to control the sale, distribution and use of pesticides. Does not specifically mention groundwater, but it does require that pesticides be tested for effectiveness and toxicity, be registered, and be labeled for appropriate use. Applicators of restricted-use pesticides are required to be "certified" through a training and testing program. Contains provisions allowing control of the transportation and disposal of pesticides.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)	Has agricultural programs which include prevention of groundwater contamination. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in partnership with local Conservation Districts are involved in many groundwater protection activities including: Providing technical assistance and educational materials related to State Pesticide Management Plans. Providing site information, evaluation, technical specifications and planning assistance for Best Management Practices (BMPs) for agricultural activities. NRCS has developed county-based soil surveys that rank soil for groundwater contamination vulnerability.
United States Geological Survey (USGS)	Nation's largest earth science research and information agency that provides geologic, topographic and hydrologic information including maps, databases, and descriptions of the earth's resources. Groundwater research is concerned primarily with the characterization of groundwater quantity and groundwater quality. Disseminates information on groundwater aquifers, water availability and use, potential sources of groundwater contamination and other related topics.

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Rules and Regulations