About Water Services
Here at the City of Bend, safeguarding water “every step of the way” means we take the One Water approach – we know that all water is connected, and manage our wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water in a collaborative, integrated way.
One Water
As Bend residents, we are fortunate to share one of nature’s true gifts: clean, clear water. Use this website to learn more about where City of Bend water comes from, where it goes after you use it, how you pay for it and how to preserve and conserve this vital resource.
Bend’s One Water Cycle -An Overview
- The Bend Municipal Watershed, located deep within the Deschutes National Forest, has been our primary water source since 1926. Learn more about Bend’s water history.
- Groundwater is pumped from the Deschutes Regional Aquifer to supplement our water supply during the peak watering season. Peak season is when outdoor landscape water usage is high.
- We depend on rain and snowfall high in the Cascade Range to recharge Bend’s watershed and aquifer.
- The Stormwater Program helps prevent local flooding and protects the water quality of our river and underground drinking water.
- Water Conservation reduces water use, energy use, extends supply and saves money.
- Wastewater from Bend is collected, treated, filtered, tested and safely returned to the environment.
Bend’s Water Quality
Exceptional Sources Are Just the Start
All surface water from Bend Municipal Watershed is treated at the Water Filtration Facility by membrane filtration, which removes pathogens and other particles too small for the naked eye to see. A small amount of chlorine is added to deactivate any viruses and bacteria while keeping our network of storage tanks and pipelines clean.
Groundwater is naturally filtered by layers of soil, volcanic rock, sand and gravel. Small amounts of chlorine are added when the water is pumped to make it safe to drink.
Lab-Tested to Ensure Your Safety
Our water meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water quality standards. We test it thousands of times each year to make sure it stays that way, looking for 130 different contaminants at our state accredited laboratory. What does this mean for you? Great tasting water, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Protecting Our Water
Protecting the quality, safety and long-term supplies of our water is of utmost importance to protect your own health and the Bend community. It has to be a priority for all of us. Here’s what you can do to help.
Test Your Irrigation Backflow Assembly Every Year
Your sprinkler system is equipped with a backflow assembly designed to prevent harmful pollutants like fertilizers and pet waste from contaminating your home’s drinking water. Annual testing by a state-certified tester is required.
Water can only flow one direction when the backflow assembly is open. When it’s closed, the system keeps your home’s drinking water free from potential yard pollutants.
Stormwater and Why it is Important
Stormwater is any water that collects on and runs off of land. It sounds harmless, right? But in urban areas where impervious surfaces like rooftops, driveways and paved streets prevent soil from absorbing stormwater, fast-flowing runoff can collect a variety of pollutants, washing them down storm drains directly into the Deschutes River, or towards our groundwater supply. The Stormwater Program protects our river and drinking water, regardless of your water supplier.
Those concave landscape features are stormwater facilities. Keep yours open and clear of debris.
Not the Same as Sewer Pipes
Bend’s stormwater collection pipes are an entirely separate system from sewer pipes. Our storm drains lead to underground injection facilities, the piped system to the river and landscape facilities. (see image below – left: underground injection facilities; center: the piped system to the river; right: landscape facilities)
Only rain down the storm drain.
Protect our water by reporting spills and illegal dumping by calling 541-317-3000, Ext. 2.
At the City of Bend Water Reclamation Facility, wastewater is not wasted. It is cleaned through a series of treatment processes at the Water Reclamation Facility to make the water safe for reuse. Two environmentally safe products are the result:
- Class A water – clean enough to use for irrigation
- Class A biosolids – approved for use as agriculture and home landscape fertilizer and soil amendment
A safe and healthy sewer system is a continuous work in progress. Protecting and properly maintaining the public infrastructure needed to collect and treat wastewater is important. Here are some simple ways to help avoid costly repairs to both public infrastructure and your own private pipes in homes or businesses.
Don’t Flush Disposable Wipes
Keep pipes healthy by never NEVER flushing disposable wipes (even those labeled as “flushable”) – put them into the garbage for safe disposal. Learn more about what is SAFE and is NOT safe to flush.
Prevent Sewer Back Ups
Blockages can backup wastewater into streets or back into your home. Yuck! Scrape dishes, pots, pans and cooled grease/fats into the garbage instead of the sink. Compost food scraps instead of using a garbage disposal.
City of Bend’s water, sewer and stormwater services are combined into one bill, but not all customers receive all three services. For example, those living outside the City’s water service area could have a different water service provider. The paragraphs below explain how your water use is measured and charged, how you can pay for it, and where you can go for more information.
Water Service Charges
Water service charges include a monthly base charge determined by meter size, service location (inside/outside of city limits) and a water volume (consumption) charge, as measured by your water meter. One unit equals 100 cubic feet (748 gallons).
Sewer Service Charges
Sewer service charges consist of monthly base and volume charges for the amount of water that goes into sewer pipes. Volume charges are based on Winter Quarter Average (WQA). WQA is the average water usage in the billing periods of December, January and February of each year. Measuring use during winter months helps to exclude water used for outdoor irrigation. For non-residential rate information visit our website at bendoregon.gov/nonresidential.
Stormwater Charges
Stormwater fees are based on impervious surface coverage per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). One ERU is equal to 3,800 square feet of impervious surface coverage, the average amount for a single-family residence in Bend.
Paying Your Bill
Utility charges are based on a 30-day billing cycle. Automatic payments are the easiest way to keep your City of Bend Utility account current and can be set up:
We also offer the following payment options for your convenience:
- Pay Online: invoicecloud.com/bendorutility (or Water Services Billing for instructions)
- By phone: 541-388-5515
- Drop box: City Hall, 710 NW Wall Street parking lot (no cash please)
- In person: 639 NW Franklin Avenue (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., M-F excluding holidays)
- U.S. Mail:
(Check or money order only. Please include your statement coupon.)
City of Bend Water Services Payments
P.O. Box 34533
Seattle, WA 98124-1533
Bend is Growing, Our Water Supply Isn’t
By doing more with less, we can help extend Bend’s water supply well into the future. That’s good news for everyone – water customers save on monthly bills, the City conserves a precious resource, and the community continues to enjoy a healthy environment for generations to come. It’s a lot easier to save water than you might think.
Save Water. Save Money.
Inside Your Home
- Replace old toilets with high-efficiency models that conserve water with every flush
- Add faucet aerators to improve bath and kitchen faucet efficiency
- Upgrade shower heads to energy efficient, low-flow models
- Order a free indoor water conservation kit at waterwisetips.org
Outside Your Home
- Use low-water landscape plants that are hardy in Central Oregon
- Make regular irrigation schedule adjustments as weather changes
- Eliminate irrigation overspray and runoff into the street
- Request a free sprinkler inspection on our website
*Chart data: Water Research Foundation
Maintaining Your Water System
Providing safe, reliable water services to our customers is our highest priority, but we can’t do it alone. Water delivery officially enters your property at the city-owned meter. General maintenance and repairs of your home (or business) water system – including water and sewer lines, irrigation and stormwater systems – is your responsibility and a critical part of keeping your home and water safe and healthy.
Easement Access
Pipes, pumps and other public infrastructure of water, stormwater and sewer utilities may exist on private property. It is important that City of Bend Water Services staff have access to these areas to service and maintain the system. If we have an easement on your property (includes the water meter box), please ensure it is kept free of fences, gardens, sheds, playground toys, etc. Link to more information about utility easement access.
Keep your meter box free of landscaping and debris so City of Bend Water Services workers can easily access it.
Do you know where your home’s private water shut-off valve is located? Before you have a leak or emergency, it’s important to know how to use your private water shut-off valve.
Questions about easement access? Call 541-317-3000, Ext 2.
Water Advisory Group
The Water Advisory Group (WAG) is made up of community members invited by the City of Bend’s Water Services Department. This group helps city staff by sharing ideas and opinions about stormwater, saving water, and other parts of the city’s water system.
Locations
Water Services Department
Public Works Campus Headquarters
21051 NE Talus Place, Bend, OR 97701
541-317-3000, ext. 2
waterservices@bendoregon.gov
Lobby Open: Monday – Friday
7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Water Filtration Facility
18600 Skyliners Rd., Bend, OR 97701
541-317-3000, ext. 2
waterservices@bendoregon.gov
Not open to the public.
Water Services Billing
639 NW Franklin Ave., Bend, OR 97703
541-388-5515
utilitiesonline@bendoregon.gov
Lobby Open: Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Water Reclamation Facility
22395 McGrath Rd., Bend, OR 97701
541-317-3000, ext. 2
waterservices@bendoregon.gov
Not open to the public.
Contact Us
| Service | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Backflow / Cross Connection / Safe Drinking Water Program | 541-317-3041 |
| Fire Flow Analysis | 541-388-5570 |
| Irrigation Billing Information | 541-388-5515 |
| Sewer Flow Analysis | 541-388-5570 |
| Sewer Problems | 541-317-3000, ext. 2 |
| Tours | 541-317-3000, ext. 2 |
| Utility Locates – Call before you dig | 8-1-1 |
| Water and Sewer Services – to start or stop service | 541-388-5515 |
| Water, Sewer & Stormwater Billing – Water Services Billing | 541-388-5515 |
| Water and Sewer Leaks, related emergencies* (*for serious emergencies that threaten life or health: Call 911) |
541-317-3000, ext. 2 |
| Water or Sewer service permit fees and information if building a new home | 541-388-5528 |
| Other Water Providers within the City of Bend | |
| Avion Water: Roats Water: |
541-382-5342 541-382-3029 |