(2) The Department of Environmental Quality, with support from the water reuse team where appropriate, and in consultation with municipal wastewater utilities, industry stakeholders and other interested parties, shall:
(a) Provide training and education to state agency staff, potential reuse project applicants and the public on the benefits and drivers of water reuse projects and the state policy to encourage and expand opportunities for water reuse in a manner that protects public health and the environment;
(b) Identify and work toward resolution of, with respect to the development of water reuse projects, internal barriers within agencies, information needs within agencies and conflicts between agencies, to better enable state agencies to encourage and support expanded water reuse in this state;
(c) Evaluate environmentally protective approaches that have been successfully employed by other state water reuse programs and that may be appropriate for water reuse in this state;
(d) Identify and propose regulatory changes needed to overcome barriers to water reuse in a manner that protects public health and the environment, including, but not limited to, changes to state agency policies and internal guidance, administrative rules and state statutes;
(e) Work to improve interagency collaboration and resolve conflicts, consistent with each agency’s designated role and responsibilities, to encourage water reuse projects in a manner that protects public health and the environment;
(f) Ensure that information and agency contacts regarding water reuse are current and accessible to the public;
(g) Promote consistent and timely responsiveness to requests for information from the public or other government agencies regarding water reuse;
(h) Develop technical assistance guidance, or other resources, for local governments, industries and nongovernmental organizations seeking permitting and the development of water reuse programs; and
(i) Establish goals and performance metrics on water reuse development in this state. [2025 c.477 §2]
Note: See note under 468B.650.
Note: Sections 3 and 4, chapter 477, Oregon Laws 2025, provide:
Sec. 3. Report. No later than December 15 of each odd-numbered year, the Department of Environmental Quality, in coordination with the interagency water reuse team established under section 2 of this 2025 Act [468B.653], shall submit a report in the manner provided by ORS 192.245 to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the environment. The report must describe the progress made toward achieving the water reuse development goals established under section 2 (2)(i) of this 2025 Act. [2025 c.477 §3]
Sec. 4. Section 3 of this 2025 Act is repealed on January 2, 2032. [2025 c.477 §4]