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Oregon Revised Statutes

Or. Rev. Stat. § 537.515 (2026)

Definitions for ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992

✓ current as of May 2026
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      537.515 Definitions for ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992. As used in ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992, unless the context requires otherwise:

      (1) “Altering” a well means the deepening, recasing, perforating, reperforating, the installation of packers or seals and other material changes in the design of the well.

      (2) “Constructing” a well includes boring, digging, drilling or excavating and installing casing or well screens.

      (3) “Converting” a well means changing the use of an existing well or hole not previously used to withdraw water such that the well or hole can be used to seek or withdraw water.

      (4) “Geothermal fluid” means any ground water used for its thermal characteristics that is encountered in a well with a bottom hole temperature of less than 250 degrees Fahrenheit or any other fluid that is circulated within a well with a bottom hole temperature of less than 250 degrees Fahrenheit and used for its acquired thermal characteristics.

      (5) “Ground water” means any water, except capillary moisture, beneath the land surface or beneath the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir or other body of surface water within the boundaries of this state, whatever may be the geological formation or structure in which such water stands, flows, percolates or otherwise moves.

      (6) “Ground water reservoir” means a designated body of standing or moving ground water having exterior boundaries which may be ascertained or reasonably inferred.

      (7) “Pollution” of ground water means any impairment of the natural quality of such ground water, however caused, including impairment by salines, minerals, industrial wastes, domestic wastes or sewage, whether indrafted directly or through infiltration into the ground water supply.

      (8) “Public agency” means the United States or any agency thereof, the State of Oregon or any agency thereof or any county, city, district organized for public purposes or other public corporation or political subdivision of this state.

      (9) “Well” means any artificial opening or artificially altered natural opening, however made, by which ground water is sought or through which ground water flows under natural pressure or is artificially withdrawn. “Well” does not include a temporary hole drilled for the purpose of gathering geotechnical ground water quality or ground water level information, a natural spring or a hole drilled for the purpose of:

      (a) Prospecting, exploration or production of oil or gas;

      (b) Prospecting or exploration for geothermal resources, as defined in ORS 522.005;

      (c) Production of geothermal resources, as defined in ORS 522.005, derived from a depth of greater than 2,000 feet; or

      (d) Exploration for minerals as defined in ORS 517.750 and 517.910.

      (10) “Well drilling machine” means any power driven percussion, rotary, boring, digging or augering machine used in the construction of water wells. [1959 c.708 §3; 1961 c.334 §6; 1975 c.552 §35; 1989 c.201 §1; 1989 c.939 §1; 1991 c.200 §1; 1995 c.79 §302; 1999 c.293 §1]

 

      537.520 [Repealed by 1955 c.708 §38]

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1992–2000 · leading case: Ashland Drilling, Inc. v. Jackson Cnty., 4 P.3d 748 (Or. Ct. App. 2000).
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Ashland Drilling, Inc. v. Jackson Cnty., 4 P.3d 748 (Or. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 2× “ORS 537.515(9) defines a well, in part, as "any artificial opening or artificially altered natural opening * * * by which ground water is sought or through which ground water flows under natural pressure or is artificially withdrawn.”
Lane Elec. Coop., Inc. v. Federated Rural Elec. Ins., 834 P.2d 502 (Or. Ct. App. 1992). “” ORS 537.515(4). The inspection revealed that the tank pit was approximately 16 feet deep and that, between 1988 and 1989, the water table varied from 15 to 14 feet below the surface.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 537.515(4) — 1 case
Lane Elec. Coop., Inc. v. Federated Rural Elec. Ins., 834 P.2d 502 (Or. Ct. App. 1992). “” ORS 537.515(4). The inspection revealed that the tank pit was approximately 16 feet deep and that, between 1988 and 1989, the water table varied from 15 to 14 feet below the surface.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 537.515(9) — 1 case
Ashland Drilling, Inc. v. Jackson Cnty., 4 P.3d 748 (Or. Ct. App. 2000). “ORS 537.515(9) defines a well, in part, as "any artificial opening or artificially altered natural opening * * * by which ground water is sought or through which ground water flows under natural pressure or is artificially withdrawn.”
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