Office of Water Resources Permit Application Portal
OWR Application Portal
DEM has launched a new online permitting portal for the Office of Water Resources (OWR) Groundwater and Freshwater Protection Programs. Applicants can now manage applications for Freshwater Wetlands, OWTS/Septic, RIPDES Construction General Permit, Water Quality Certification, and Underground Injection Control programs at https://dem.ri.gov/owr-portal-login
Designed to modernize and simplify licensing and permitting services, DEM is excited to offer a fully online system for the submission and issuance of regulatory licenses and permits for OWR's Groundwater and Freshwater Protection Programs. The OWR Permit Application Portal is your one-stop shop for doing business with us.
How to Use the OWR Permit Application Portal
User Guides
Below are PDFs with guidance for using the online portal that you can download and/or print. Please reach out to DEM with specific questions on applications or any issues using the system.
All OWTS professionals must create an account in the new portal. This includes Designers AND Installers.
If you are submitting a start of construction or inspection request for a construction permit that contains A/E, the installer must be certified for that A/E to proceed. The Installer must create an account and upload the A/E certifications into their profile. A profile will also be required for license renewal.
No paper applications will be accepted going forward. Soil evaluations and certificates of construction will need to be manually added into the portal, it will not be a document upload.
Below is guidance and support:
Tips for Getting Started
🔹 Create Your User Profile (User Guide): To ensure your existing licenses are properly linked to your new account, please use the same name and personal phone number DEM has on file in your license application. When setting up your profile, make sure to include:
- First and Last Name (must match DEM records).
- Personal Phone Number (not a business number)
- Profile Picture Upload (required)
Using different information may prevent the system from automatically connecting your current and past records.
Tagging Your License
🔹 You only need to tag your license once. Tagging the same item multiple times will delay processing. (User Guide)
- After tagging, your request status will appear as “Submitted.”
- Once DEM reviews and approves the file, you will see the status change to “Approved” in the system. 🔔 Look for the bell icon in the upper right-hand corner of your portal dashboard to view alerts and unread notifications.
⚠️ Note: If a designer holds multiple licenses, each license must be tagged separately.
FAQS from Live Demonstrations
Scenario: When I created my account, I accidentally auto-populated a middle initial (which I do not have); therefore, when I went onto auto-tag/tagging, it is not letting me link all of my licenses. It is also not allowing me to edit or change in/fix it that portion is grayed out. It is only allowing me to change my demographics, address, phone number etc. Please advise how to fix this.
Solution: DEM staff can assist you. Please email us at DEM.WaterResources@dem.ri.gov for same day follow up. Please do not call. Using the email to submit your request ensures a faster response that's documented in writing. Be sure to attach a screenshot to your email to help us diagnose the problem.
Scenario: As I understand it, for our individual profile I will need to use a unique phone number. I can use my direct dial, but all previous applications were submitted under the main company number. Will that mean that all previous applications will need to be individually tagged or will they come in based on the designer number?
Solution: You need to use your personal phone number when creating account. The system uses the personal phone number we have on record for you when you filled out your license application. Do not use the business phone number that is published to our web page.
Scenario: With the picture and phone info, it really seems like the system is set up for designers and not firms. Can you confirm if a firm can use the portal or if each designer needs their own login and how a firm may get a copy of the notifications if a designer is away? By firm, I mean one login that multiple designers can use.
Solution: The OWTS application process does not support “Firm” or “Company” accounts. The account must be tied to a licensed OWTS Professional, not their organization.
No, if multiple licenses are held by the same individual, the designer must separately tag each license, but this is done within the same user account.
Scenario: I created a login a few weeks ago when the stormwater/wetland portion of the portal was opened. I'm assuming I can just update my profile with the additional info needed for OWTS?
Solution: Yes, but only if the account created for the other OWR programs is an individual account and not a “Firm” or “Company” account.
Scenario: If someone is working for more than 1 company, can the OWTS Designer license be tagged to more than one profile? If a person works for two different entities and we have a COA through the Board of Registration for both companies through DBR, we should be able to submit applications for separate entities
Solution: The OWTS Permitting process is tied to the licensed OWTS professional, not to the company, allowing the designer freedom to subcontract or work for multiple different entities.
Scenario: If a soil evaluator is an outside contractor, but the office under retainment takes care of submittals and or payments, how are the two profiles linked, if at all? As a Class III designer, I sometimes complete the soil evaluation form for a subcontractor who has a Class IV.
Solution: Payments and submissions are the responsibility of the licensed applicant. The Class IV may submit the site evaluation to a Class II or III designer to complete Part B of the form. The Class IV will fill out part A of the form, then select no to complete the rest of the form, and type in the Class II or III designer’s name, and it will be routed to them under ‘Application Requests’ > ’All Designer IV Requests’.
Scenario: Can you explain why the owner needs to create an account and how the designer links the application? How do we have customers sign applications on the portal, and how would I access that? Will there be a new application form that the owners need to sign before uploading?
Solution: The designer may select that they are authorized by the homeowner to submit on their behalf. In the document upload section, there is a spot to upload the owner's signature, which we provide a form for download for the owner to sign and the designer to upload. Alternatively, the designer may have the owner create an account prior to construction permit submission which when they enter owner details use the email the owner used to create the account and at completion of the application it will submit to the owner's account for them to sign the form and pay for the application separately online.
Yes, the public, including the client, may use the Active Permit Search to view application status history, access application materials and submittals for new or resubmitted applications, and download final permit documents, such as approved plans and permits. A login is not required to use this search tool.
If the owner creates an account and it is properly linked to the project, an email notification will be triggered if they select the ‘Are you the designer, with the owner separately paying for and attesting to the application online?’ option.
A/E technology training certifications will not be required with each design submission. The new system requires designers to have their training uploaded and verified within the system prior to submitting a plan containing A/E Technology.
Due to the sheer volume of designers with A/E Training, all OWTS Professionals should upload their respective certifications into the system to reduce the processing time required for DEM staff to import and review the data.
GeoMatrix typically supplies a letter indicating that a designer or installer is trained to design or install their products.
A list of technologies, their approvals, and conditions of those approvals can be found in the document below:
If you do not require CEUs, then you do not need to fill out the continuing education section of “my details” and it will not be asked of you come time for renewal.
Yes. DEM maintains paper files for each designer. You may review these files by setting up an appointment with an OWTS admin to review them, if needed, at (401) 222-3961 or DEM.OWTS@dem.ri.gov.
Fee payments are processed through the new system as part of the application submission process via a connected payment portal. The individual making the payment will be automatically redirected to the payment page and directed back to the OWR Application Portal after the payment is processed.
Yes. Processing fees are 3% for payments made via ACH and 5% for credit card transactions. These fees are retained by Tyler Technologies, which supports the payment portal.
The Licensed OWTS professional can pay on behalf of the applicant by selecting that option on the application form.
Plans may be scanned and uploaded into the new system in the following formats: doc, docx, pdf, png, tiff, jpg, jpeg, and .csv
The erroneous submission will have to be refunded, and a second application submitted.
Yes. Completed applications should automatically link to your profile, as long as your license was tagged correctly.
The OWTS Professional may pay for the application on behalf of the owner, or another entity may create an account and pay directly.
If you select the ‘Are you the designer, with the owner separately paying for and attesting to the application online?’
- The owner will need to have an account prior to submission
- You will need to include the email address they used for account creation in the owner details
- At the end of the application for the designer, it will then be automatically routed to the owner’s account. The owner will receive a notification to complete their attestation and payment.
Account creation for owners entails entering their details such as name, mailing address, home address, email address, and phone number. They will then get an email to verify their account and create a password. After their account is set up, and the designer follows the process above, the owner will receive an email taking them through the steps to get into the application to sign and pay.
In the document upload section, there is a required upload for the owner’s signature, which has a hyperlink to download an Owner’s Signature Form that can either be digitally or physically signed. The designer will then upload that completed document for submission.
The Designer has the ultimate responsibility for the application and its contents, and as such typically completes the permit. For instance, an OWTS Class IV designer must submit the application for the soil evaluation under their account.

System Highlights
User-Friendly: Applicants can submit, track, and monitor the status, history, and renewal of permits and licenses.
Accessible: The system supports document uploads and connects with payment portals so you can complete applications in one centralized portal.
Quicker: A single online system reduces the amount of time it takes to submit applications, allowing for faster and easier processes that are business-friendly and compliant with regulations.
Efficient: DEM inspectors can also schedule site inspections and provide real-time results.
Improved Accuracy: An automated accounting system to track applications, permits, and related fees reduces the risk of human error and ensures more consistent data entry and processing.
Environmentally Friendly: Expanding online tools reduce paper waste and support DEM’s sustainability
Subscribe for System UpdatesQuestions?
Need help using the OWR Application Portal?
Submit an online ticket at https://dem.ri.gov/owr-portal-ticket. This option is quicker than calling! Most issues will be solved within one-to-two business days. *Questions about inspections should be directed to the OWTS program at (401) 222-3961 or DEM.OWTS@dem.ri.gov
For in-person help creating your online profile or linking your licenses, please schedule an appointment with one of our Application Coordinators at (401) 537-4014 or DEM.PAC@dem.ri.gov. Appointments will be held at DEM’s Permit Application Center at 235 Promenade Street in Providence during business hours (8:30 AM - 3:30 PM).
For questions about the application process, required documents, or general information, contact the appropriate Application Coordinator:
Freshwater Wetlands
(401) 222-6820
DEM.FWW@dem.ri.gov
OWTS Program
(401) 222-3961
DEM.OWTS@dem.ri.gov
RIPDES Construction General Permit or Stormwater Design
(401) 222-6820
DEM.STWConstruction@dem.ri.gov
For Annual Fee Questions or submittals:
DEM.RIPDESInvoices@dem.ri.gov
Underground Injection Control
(401) 222-6820
DEM.UIC@dem.ri.gov
Note: DEM's Office Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions on the new portal. For further assistance, please use the contact information on this webpage.
Freshwater Wetlands, RIPDES Construction General Permit, Water Quality Certification, and Underground Injection Control Programs launched in the new system on Tuesday, May 6. Completed applications submitted before April 17 at 4 PM were moved to the new system.
The new online portal is designed to replace paper-based applications and moves existing online applications into a single system so customers and businesses can easily manage their applications, licenses, and permits. Along with reducing the amount of time customers spend submitting applications, the new system will help reduce DEM’s processing time.
We are not changing the type of information or documentation needed to obtain licenses, permits, and certifications. The system allows customers 24/7 access to manage their accounts and pay fees. Applicants can also view and monitor the real-time status of pending applications, find deadlines for upcoming renewals, reprint lost or damaged licenses/permits, and more.
Once the system launches on May 6, you can access the portal directly at dem.ri.gov/owr-portal. The online portal will guide you through the process for creating a new user account. All users must create a log-in using a valid email and unique password to access their active permits/licenses and to start new applications.
Yes. DEM staff will continue to offer guidance and support for customers. Applicants with programmatic questions and technical issues using the system may reach out with questions.
Freshwater Wetlands | DEM.FWW@dem.ri.gov or (401) 222-6820 |
OWTS Program | DEM.OWTS@dem.ri.gov or (401) 222-3961 |
RIPDES Construction General Permit or RIPDES Stormwater Design |
DEM.STWConstruction@dem.ri.gov or (401) 222-6820 Annual Fee Questions or Submittals: |
Underground Injection Control | DEM.UIC@dem.ri.gov or (401) 222-6820 |
Yes. All customers must create a New User Account when first logging into the new OWR Permit Application Portal. Please use the same first name, last name, and phone number you used in the previous online portal to ensure your applications connect to your new profile.
Yes. DEM will not be accepting applications during blackout periods and will need to return incomplete applications to be resubmitted on the new portal if they are not completed before the blackout period. DEM also cannot accept responses to comments that were issued for applications before the blackout. Processing of applications will restart on May 6 for all programs except for OWTS and Joint FWW/OWTS applications, which will restart on June 3 when the system is fully online.
Complete applications that were submitted before the paper application deadline (Phase 1: April 17; Phase 2: May 1) will be moved to the new portal. All other applications will need to be submitted when the new online system launches. All users can create their log ins to the system starting on May 6.
Joint FWW/OWTS applications will be held until the system launches on May 20.
Environmental permitting is complex. DEM is transferring nearly 35 years' worth of application data, which includes numerous interconnections and overlapping records. This work requires careful handling to ensure accuracy and consistency during the migration process.
During blackout periods, DEM will be sending updates to stakeholder groups through our email lists and on the DEM website at https://dem.ri.gov/owr-portal.
Check this website regularly and sign up for email updates.