It is declared to be the policy of this state:

(1) To aid and encourage public agencies with authority to provide treatment works for the control of water pollution, or responsibility for implementing a nonpoint source management plan pursuant to the nonpoint source management program described in ORS § 468.429, in the transition from reliance on federal grants to local self-sufficiency by the use of fees paid by users of the treatment works;

(2) To aid and encourage qualified institutions to assist in the protection or maintenance of water quality in the waters of this state by financing projects to repair or replace failing on-site septic systems or to replace failing on-site septic systems with connections to an available sewer;

(3) To accept and use any federal grant funds available to capitalize a perpetual revolving loan fund; and

(4) To assist public agencies in meeting treatment works’ construction obligations in order to prevent or eliminate pollution of surface and ground water by making loans from a revolving loan fund at interest rates that are less than or equal to market interest rates. [1987 c.648 § 2; 2019 c.558 § 2; 2023 c.56 § 2]