(1) The Department of Environmental Quality shall:
(a) Working with contract agents, as defined in ORS 454.605, where applicable, compile available information regarding alternative sewage disposal systems, nonwater-carried sewage disposal facilities and subsurface sewage disposal systems as those terms are defined in ORS 454.605, including the age and location of individual systems or facilities; and
(b) Encourage voluntary inspections of alternative sewage disposal systems, nonwater-carried sewage disposal facilities and subsurface sewage disposal systems as those terms are defined in ORS 454.605.
(2) The State Department of Agriculture shall:
(a) Review water quality management plans, as defined in ORS 568.900, applicable to agricultural lands for potential plan revisions to identify voluntary practices specific to the contaminant of concern.
(b) Identify stewardship agreement opportunities pursuant to ORS 541.973, if appropriate.
(c) Consider and prioritize watersheds and subwatersheds within a ground water quality concern area for focused outreach and compliance efforts.
(d) Where feasible, partner with local entities, including soil and water conservation districts, watershed councils or the Oregon State University Extension Service, to deliver outreach, technical assistance or implementation support consistent with this subsection.
(3) The Oregon Health Authority shall:
(a) Prepare a preliminary assessment that:
(A) Identifies public health risks to domestic well users and public water systems due to potential contamination of drinking water supplies;
(B) Identifies strategies to work with the local public health authority, or authorities, public water systems and local health partners to communicate potential public health risks from contaminants in drinking water;
(C) Identifies other appropriate response strategies; and
(D) Estimates the cost of a public health response to the contamination.
(b) Prepare accessible and language-appropriate outreach and education materials regarding the public health risks of the contaminant of concern and recommended actions to reduce health risks, including guidance about testing domestic well water and other domestic well safety information, and:
(A) Disseminate the materials and related information to the public in the ground water quality concern area, subject to available resources; and
(B) Provide the materials to the local public health authority or other appropriate local officials for dissemination to community members that depend on domestic wells. [2025 c.605 §6]
Note: 468B.178 was added to and made a part of 468B.150 to 468B.190 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.