Oregon Statutes 448.250 – Remedy when system a health hazard; special master; sale of system
(1) Whenever a water system or part thereof presents or threatens to present a public health hazard requiring immediate action to protect the public health, safety and welfare, the Director of the Oregon Health Authority may request the district attorney of the county wherein the system is located to institute an action. The action may be commenced without the necessity of prior administrative procedures or hearing and entry of an order or at any time during such administrative proceedings, if such proceedings have been commenced. The action may petition for a mandatory injunction compelling the water supplier to cease and desist operation or to make such improvements and corrections as are necessary to remove the public health hazard or threat thereof.
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 448.250
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
- Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
- Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
(2)(a) If the water supplier refuses to comply with the order of the court, in addition to other remedies, the court may appoint a special master to operate the water system. Costs of operation and improvement during operation by the special master are to be charged to the water supplier and may be collected by impounding revenue due to the water supplier from customers of the supplier; or, if those funds are insufficient, from other revenues due to the water supplier.
(b) The court may require sale of a water system under a special master to a responsible party if the water supplier refuses to comply with the standards and requirements of the Oregon Health Authority.
(3) Cases filed under provisions of this section or any appeal therefrom shall be given preference on the docket over all other civil cases except those given an equal preference by statute.
(4) Nothing in this section is intended to prevent the maintenance of actions for legal or equitable remedies relating to private or public nuisance or for recovery of damages brought by private persons or by the state on relation of any person. [Formerly 449.247; 1975 c.254 § 10; 1979 c.284 § 145; 1981 c.749 § 15; 2009 c.595 § 852]