Oregon Statutes 468B.020 – Prevention of pollution
(1) Pollution of any of the waters of the state is declared to be not a reasonable or natural use of such waters and to be contrary to the public policy of the State of Oregon, as set forth in ORS § 468B.015.
(2) In order to carry out the public policy set forth in ORS § 468B.015, the Department of Environmental Quality shall take such action as is necessary for the prevention of new pollution and the abatement of existing pollution by:
(a) Fostering and encouraging the cooperation of the people, industry, cities and counties, in order to prevent, control and reduce pollution of the waters of the state; and
(b) Requiring the use of all available and reasonable methods necessary to achieve the purposes of ORS § 468B.015 and to conform to the standards of water quality and purity established under ORS § 468B.048. [Formerly 449.095 and then 468.715]