Oregon Water Resources Department Contacts, Water Rights Help, Wells, Watermasters and State Office Directory
If you are looking for the Oregon Water Department, the correct state agency is the Oregon Water Resources Department. This guide explains the main Salem office, director, water rights contacts, local watermaster lookup, wells and well construction routing, regional offices, Water Resources Commission oversight and the official OWRD directories.
Oregon Water Resources Department is the state agency for water resources, water rights, wells, water use regulation, dam safety, groundwater, surface water and local watermaster routing. It is not the same as a city water billing office.
✅ Best first step for Oregon water resource questions
For a city water bill: contact your local city, water district or utility provider. OWRD does not normally handle local household water bills.
For water rights, wells or permits: start with OWRD customer service at 503-986-0900 and the official Directory of Services.
For local water use disputes or illegal water use: locate your local watermaster using the official regional and watermaster map.
Oregon Water Resources Department State Directory Quick Facts
The Oregon Water Resources Department main office is listed at 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, Oregon 97301. The main phone number is 503-986-0900, and the official pages list Ivan Gall as Director.
The Department uses multiple official directories: a Directory of Services for program routing, a Staff Directory for employee lookup, and a Regional Offices and Watermasters Directory for local watermaster contacts.
What This Oregon Water Resources Directory Covers
Oregon Water Resources Department Main Office Contact
The main OWRD office is the best first stop for general state-level water resources questions. The official contact page lists the office in Salem with phone, fax, hours and directory links.
| Contact item | Official detail | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Agency name | Oregon Water Resources Department | State water resources, water rights, wells, regulation and programs. |
| Main phone | 503-986-0900 | General customer service and routing. |
| WRD_DL_customerservice@water.oregon.gov | Customer service questions and permit support routing. | |
| Address | 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, OR 97301 | Main office location and mail reference. |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Calling or visiting during business hours. |
| Director | Ivan Gall | Agency leadership reference. |
How to Use the OWRD Directory of Services
The official Directory of Services is the fastest way to find the correct OWRD program contact. It is especially useful because Oregon water questions can involve different staff depending on whether the issue is water rights, groundwater, wells, regulation, enforcement, dam safety, grants, policy or public records.
Open the official directory
Use the OWRD Directory of Services page.
Choose the correct topic
Look for the program area matching your need, such as water rights, groundwater and wells, regulation, enforcement, policy, planning, research, dam safety or grants.
Contact the primary staff first
The directory says where more than one person is listed, the first person is the primary contact and others should be contacted in the listed order.
How to Find Your Oregon Regional Office or Local Watermaster
Watermasters are important for local water use regulation, water right field questions, local enforcement concerns and district-level water administration. OWRD provides a Regional Offices and Watermasters Directory with a map-based lookup.
Open the watermaster directory
Use the official Regional Offices and Watermasters Directory.
Search by address or coordinates
The official instructions say you can type an address in the Find address box, or use longitude/latitude coordinates.
Click near the search result
The district number appears after clicking on the map near the search result. Then use the “More info” link to find office contact information.
Use watermaster for local water use issues
Use the local watermaster route for local regulation, illegal water use concerns, water right field questions and district-specific water administration.
Oregon Water Rights Permit Contacts and Application Help
In Oregon, a water right question can involve groundwater, surface water, reservoirs, changes to existing rights, public notice, restrictions and application forms. The official water right permit page says customers should contact the Customer Service Team at 503-986-0900 or WRD_DL_customerservice@water.oregon.gov for additional questions.
| Permit / right need | Official route | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Groundwater application | OWRD water right permit page | Required to use water from a well where a water right is required. |
| Surface water application | OWRD water right permit page | Used for rivers, reservoirs, ponds and surface sources. |
| Reservoir application | Standard or alternate review process | Review depends on reservoir size and dam characteristics. |
| Existing right question | Directory of Services / water rights staff | Have certificate, permit, transfer or application number ready. |
| Local enforcement | Local watermaster | Use regional office lookup for district-level issues. |
Oregon Wells, Well Construction and Groundwater Contacts
OWRD handles state-level groundwater and well construction programs. Well owners, drillers, buyers, real estate professionals and landowners may need OWRD for well logs, well construction standards, licensing, groundwater data or water right questions.
Well logs and records
Use OWRD records and staff routing for well log and groundwater information.
RecordsWell construction
Use OWRD well construction resources for standards, licensing and compliance.
StandardsIdentify the well location
Have the property address, county, township-range-section, tax lot or coordinates ready.
Find any existing well log
Search OWRD well records if available, or ask customer service how to locate the correct record.
Separate water quality from water quantity
OWRD is mainly a water resources and water right agency. Drinking water testing for a private well may involve public health or certified lab resources.
Oregon Water Resources Commission and Policy Oversight
The Oregon Secretary of State Blue Book says the Water Resources Commission is a seven-member commission that oversees department activities and sets policy consistent with state law. This is the correct “board-style” oversight route for state-level water resources policy.
Use commission pages for policy, meetings, agendas, commission biographies and public participation. Use OWRD staff or watermasters for individual application, well, local enforcement or customer service questions.
| Oversight item | Official detail | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Water Resources Commission | Seven-member commission | Policy oversight and department activity oversight. |
| Commission contact | 725 Summer St. NE, Suite A, Salem | Commission-related correspondence and public process. |
| Commission liaison/contact | Executive support contact listed by Oregon Blue Book | Commission scheduling and support routing. |
| Public meetings | Use official Water Resources Commission pages | Meeting agendas, minutes and participation details. |
Oregon Water Resources Department Divisions and What They Handle
OWRD is organized into program areas and divisions that handle different parts of Oregon water administration. Understanding the division helps you avoid sending a permit question to a policy contact or a local field issue to the wrong Salem program.
| Division / office | What it handles | Best user example |
|---|---|---|
| Director’s Office | Agency policy, programs, legislative and statewide coordination. | High-level agency or policy routing. |
| Field Services Division | Water law field enforcement, water use regulation, wells and dams field work. | Local water use dispute or field investigation. |
| Water Right Services Division | Water right permits, transfers, leases and adjudications. | Apply for or research a water right. |
| Technical Services Division | Groundwater, surface water science, dam safety, databases and well construction standards. | Groundwater data, well log or dam safety question. |
| Water Resources Commission | Oversight and policy consistent with state law. | Commission agenda, policy or public meeting question. |
Who to Contact for Common Oregon Water Department Questions
Use this table before calling. It separates state-level OWRD tasks from local city water billing and county public health questions.
| Your question | Best official route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| City water bill or shutoff | Local city/utility provider | OWRD is not usually your household billing office. |
| Water right permit | OWRD Customer Service / Water Right Services | OWRD processes state water right applications. |
| Illegal water use or local regulation | Local watermaster | Watermasters handle local field administration. |
| Well log or well construction | OWRD wells / groundwater resources | OWRD manages well construction and related records. |
| Groundwater or surface water data | Technical Services / OWRD data tools | Technical staff and databases support water resource data. |
| Policy, commission meeting or rules | Water Resources Commission / policy pages | Commission handles state-level policy oversight. |
| Public records request | OWRD Public Records Request | Records requests should follow the official public records process. |
Checklist Before Calling Oregon Water Resources Department
OWRD staff can route your request faster when you provide exact location and document details. A vague question like “Can I use water on my land?” usually requires follow-up.
| Question type | Prepare this |
|---|---|
| Water right question | Water right certificate, permit, transfer number, application number or claim number. |
| Property / land question | County, address, tax lot, township-range-section and map coordinates if available. |
| Well question | Well log number, well location, owner name, drilling date or property record. |
| Local water use dispute | Location, water source, date/time observed, photos if safe, and suspected water use. |
| Permit application | Proposed water source, use type, point of diversion, acreage, map and application status. |
| Public records | Specific record type, date range, names, water right numbers and preferred format. |
Oregon Water Resources Department Main Office Map
The main OWRD office is listed at 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, OR 97301. Use this map for the Salem office location, but call or use the directory first because many questions can be handled by phone, email or the correct local watermaster.
Oregon Water Resources Department — Salem Main Office
Use this location for main office reference. For local water use matters, use the watermaster directory first.
Official Oregon Water Resources Department Directory and Contact Links
Use these official resources for OWRD state office contacts, directory routing, regional watermasters, water right permits, staff lookup, commission policy and public records.
OWRD Main Office
Main office address, directions, parking, phone and contact information.
Open Main OfficeDirectory of Services
Program-level OWRD contacts for water rights, wells, regulation, enforcement and more.
Open DirectoryRegional Offices & Watermasters
Map-based local watermaster and regional office contact lookup.
Find WatermasterStaff Directory
Official staff directory and state employee search routing.
Open Staff DirectoryWater Right Permits
Groundwater, surface water and reservoir permit application guidance.
Open Permit PageWater Resources Commission
Commission policy oversight, biographies and meeting resources.
Open CommissionOregon Blue Book
Agency subdivisions, commission authority and division descriptions.
Open Blue BookPublic Records Request
Request official OWRD records through the proper public records route.
Open Public RecordsEmail Customer Service
Email OWRD customer service for general routing and water right permit support.
Email OWRDOregon Water Resources Department State Directory FAQs
What is the Oregon Water Resources Department phone number?
The main Oregon Water Resources Department phone number is 503-986-0900.
Where is the Oregon Water Resources Department main office?
The main office is listed at 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, OR 97301.
Who is the Oregon Water Resources Department Director?
The official OWRD pages list Ivan Gall as Director.
Is Oregon Water Resources Department the same as my local water bill office?
No. OWRD is a state agency for water resources, water rights, wells, water use regulation, dam safety and related programs. Local water bills are usually handled by a city, water district or utility provider.
How do I find my local Oregon Watermaster?
Use the official Regional Offices and Watermasters Directory. Search by address or coordinates, click near the search result and use the district information to find office contacts.
Who should I contact for Oregon water right permit questions?
Contact OWRD Customer Service at 503-986-0900 or WRD_DL_customerservice@water.oregon.gov. The official water right permit page also explains groundwater, surface water and reservoir application types.
What does the Oregon Water Resources Commission do?
The Oregon Secretary of State Blue Book says the seven-member Water Resources Commission oversees department activities and sets policy consistent with state law.
What are the OWRD office hours?
The official OWRD pages list hours of operation as 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Which Oregon office handles suspected illegal water use?
The OWRD contact page says illegal water use or other local issues should be reported to the local Watermaster. Use the Regional Offices and Watermasters Directory to find the correct district.
Where do I find Oregon well information?
Use OWRD’s groundwater and wells resources, staff directory and public records tools. Have your property address, county, well log number or map location ready before contacting staff.
Can OWRD tell me if my private well water is safe to drink?
OWRD handles water resources, wells and water rights. Drinking water quality testing for a private well may involve a certified laboratory or public health resource. Keep water right, well construction and water quality questions separate.
What details should I prepare before contacting OWRD?
Prepare the county, property address, water source, well log number, water right number, permit/application number, township-range-section, map coordinates and a short summary of your question.
Best Way to Use the Oregon Water Resources Department Directory in 2026
Start with the official OWRD Directory of Services if you are unsure which program handles your question. Use the Regional Offices and Watermasters Directory when your issue is local, field-based, district-based or related to water use regulation.
For general OWRD customer service, call 503-986-0900 or email WRD_DL_customerservice@water.oregon.gov. For city water bills, shutoff notices, meter payments or household service accounts, contact your local water utility instead of OWRD.
Editorial note: This guide is informational and helps Oregon residents, well owners, landowners, water right holders, consultants, farmers and public agencies find official Oregon Water Resources Department contacts faster. Staff names, commission roles, office access, directory contacts, permit rules, phone numbers and program procedures can change, so always confirm current details directly through official OWRD and State of Oregon resources before taking action.