Out of Water?
Don’t panic. If your well has stopped producing water, there are steps you can take right now. Most of the time it's a fixable problem, and CMWC can help you navigate it.
Your first step: check your pump.
The first call you should make is to a local pump repair company. A failed or damaged pump is far more common than a dry well — and a pump technician can tell you which situation you're dealing with quickly. Don't assume the worst until you know for sure.
If the pump company confirms your well has run dry, your next step is to report it to the Oregon Water Resources Department. This is important — don't skip it. OWRD tracks dry well reports and uses that data to understand where groundwater stress is occurring across the state. Your report matters beyond just your property.
It also protects you. If a nearby well — commercial or domestic — is drawing down your water supply, OWRD has the authority to investigate and act. Water rights in Oregon work on a first-come, first-served basis. If your well was drilled before a nearby well that's impacting your levels, that well may be required to stop pumping while the situation is investigated. That process takes time, but your water right is a legal right — and it can be enforced.
If you need more support, reach out to us.
If you're out of water, reach out to us directly. CMWC may be able to help you locate your well report through OWRD, point you toward local pump and well companies that can respond, and share what we know about recent water rights permits in your area that may be relevant to your situation.
We're neighbors, not a hotline — but we'll do what we can to help you find the right path forward.
Email our President at kgheng@cmwater.org for more support.