Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 690 - WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT › Division 410 - STATEWIDE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT › Section 690-410-0060 - Conservation and Efficient Water Use

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(1) Policy -- The elimination of waste and
			 improving the efficiency of water use are high priorities. Use of water without
			 waste is required by state statute and the prior appropriation doctrine.
			 Programs to eliminate waste shall be implemented. In addition, improving the
			 efficiency of water use through implementation of voluntary conservation
			 measures can help restores instream flows and provide for future needs
			 including public uses and continued economic development. Priority shall be
			 given to developing subbasin conservation plans and providing public assistance
			 in areas of known over-appropriation of surface water and groundwater and of
			 water quality problems.
(2)
			 Principles -- Programs to achieve the policy in section (1) of this rule shall
			 be guided by the following principles:
(a)
			 Water users shall construct, operate and maintain their water systems in a
			 manner which prevents waste and minimizes harm to the waters of the state and
			 injury to other water rights;
(b)
			 Major water users and suppliers shall prepare water management plans under the
			 guidance of schedules, criteria and procedures which shall be adopted by rule.
			 The plans shall evaluate opportunities for conservation and include a
			 quantification of losses of water from the systems, an evaluation of the
			 effectiveness and costs of alternative measures to reduce losses, and an
			 implementation schedule for all feasible measures. During the planning
			 processes, consideration shall be given to the environmental impacts from and
			 time needed for implementation of system modifications. The Department shall
			 assist water users and suppliers in the preparation of the water management
			 plans;
(c) The Commission shall
			 encourage and facilitate the development of subbasin conservation plans
			 throughout the state by local advisory committees. Subbasin conservation plans
			 shall include measures to assist water users in eliminating waste, other
			 methods to improve water use efficiency in the subbasin, funding proposals to
			 implement the measures and procedures to protect water dedicated to instream
			 uses from further diversion. Priority shall be given to development of subbasin
			 conservation plans in serious water management problem areas, critical
			 groundwater areas and other areas where water supplies are not sufficient to
			 meet demands. The Commission shall adopt rules to guide formation of
			 broad-based committees, the preparation of subbasin plans, and the submittal of
			 plans to the Commission for approval;
(d) When wasteful practices are identified in
			 water management plans and subbasin conservation plans, the Commission shall
			 adopt rules prescribing statewide and subbasin standards and practices that
			 ensure beneficial use without waste. The rules shall recognize that conditions
			 vary for different parts of the state and for different uses;
(e) A conservation element shall be developed
			 and included in each basin plan when a major plan review and update is
			 performed;
(f) The collection,
			 analysis and distribution of information on water use and availability are
			 necessary to ensure that the waters of the state are managed for maximum
			 beneficial use and to protect the public welfare, safety and health. The
			 ability to measure flows at authorized points of diversion is essential to the
			 management of water and the elimination of waste;
(g) The Commission shall support public
			 education programs, research and demonstration projects to increase citizen and
			 water user awareness of water conservation issues and measures in the state;
			 and
(h) The Commission shall
			 support programs to provide economic assistance to water users to implement
			 desired conservation measures, particularly where the benefits of implementing
			 the measures are high.