OWEB is a leader in the conservation of Oregon's natural resources and enjoys strong public support for its contributions to community-based conservation, watershed health, and local economies. Their mission is to help protect and restore healthy watersheds and natural habitats that support thriving communities and strong economies.The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is a state agency that provides grants to help Oregonians take care of local streams, rivers, wetlands, and natural areas. Community members and landowners use scientific criteria to decide jointly what needs to be done to conserve and improve rivers and natural habitats in the places where they live. OWEB grants are funded from the Oregon Lottery, federal dollars, and salmon license plate revenue. The agency is led by an 18-member citizen board drawn from the public at large, tribes, and federal and state natural resource agency boards and commissions.

The Water Quality Program's mission is to protect and improve Oregon's water quality. Protecting Oregon's rivers, lakes, streams, and groundwater quality keeps these waters safe for a multitude of beneficial uses such as drinking water, fish habitat, recreation, and irrigation. This is accomplished by developing and implementing water quality standards and clean water plans, regulating sewage treatment systems and industrial dischargers, collecting and evaluating water quality data, providing grants and technical assistance to reduce nonpoint pollution sources, and providing loans to communities to build treatment facilities. The program includes four program-specific sections at DEQ Headquarters, water quality sections in three regions, and two monitoring sections at DEQ's laboratory.

The vision of the Water Resources Department is to assure sufficient and sustainable water supplies are available to meet current and future needs.

The Department's mission is to serve the public by practicing and promoting responsible water management through two key goals. To directly address Oregon's water supply needs and to restore and protect streamflows and watersheds in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of Oregon's ecosystems, economy, and quality of life.

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) regulates a portion of the state’s 3,500 water systems. The PUC oversees some investor-owned water utilities, as well as select mobile home parks and associations providing water service. The PUC does not regulate any of the 1,100 municipalities and publicly-owned water systems that serve a majority of Oregonians.

All regulated water utilities must comply with PUC service rules and regulations, such as water quality, pressure, customer service, plant repair, and maintenance. The PUC investigates complaints to ensure customers are receiving safe and adequate water service.

A small number of these regulated water utilities must also comply with PUC rules governing rates to ensure residents are receiving service at just and reasonable rates.

Oregon Department of Agriculture ensures healthy natural resources, environment, and economy for Oregonians now and in the future through inspection and certification, regulation, and promotion of agriculture and food.

​The Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Program provides services to the 45 Soil and Water Conservation Districts throughout Oregon. These services include technical support and limited administrative oversight, with the intent of reducing both liability and risk to the SWCDs and the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and stormwater drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

This program assists qualified applicants who are not otherwise able to obtain commercial credit on reasonable terms.

Oregon Drinking Water Services

Working to keep drinking water safe for Oregonians. Access to safe drinking water is essential to human health. Oregon Drinking Water Services helps to keep drinking water safe for Oregonians.

Oregon Drinking Water Services (DWS) administers and enforces drinking water quality standards for public water systems in the state of Oregon. DWS focuses resources in the areas of highest public health benefit and promotes voluntary compliance with state and federal drinking water standards. DWS also emphasizes the prevention of contamination through source water protection, provides technical assistance to water systems, and provides water system operator training.