Operative Text
The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that: (1) Water is an essential and scarce resource; (2) Conservation of water is critical for the future of this state; and (3) Billing for water according to usage encourages users to conserve water and allows users to exercise better control over their costs.
ORS § 90.576 sets out the Oregon Legislative Assembly's foundational policy rationale for water billing rules that apply to rental housing. The provision establishes three official findings: that water is essential and scarce, that conservation is critical to Oregon's future, and that usage-based billing encourages conservation while giving users more control over their costs. These findings serve as the stated justification for the water-billing requirements found elsewhere in ORS Chapter 90.
Plain English — not legal advice.
ORS § 90.576 signals that Oregon's legislature has deliberately structured water billing policy around conservation and cost transparency in the rental housing context. Operators who bill tenants for water based on actual usage are acting in alignment with the policy goals the Legislative Assembly identified in this provision. Understanding these findings can help property owners and managers contextualize the more specific water-billing requirements that follow in ORS Chapter 90.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
ORS § 90.576 reflects Oregon's official policy position that tenants benefit from usage-based water billing because it gives them greater control over their own costs. While this provision is a statement of legislative findings rather than an enforceable right, it provides important context for understanding the water-billing rules in ORS Chapter 90 that may affect a tenancy. Tenants who have questions about how water charges are being applied to their rental situation may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Oregon landlord-tenant law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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