Spring activities
Learn, Explore and Protect our water systems this season to celebrate 100 Years of Water Service.
History, watersheds and the foundations of Bend’s Water Services
This spring, as we begin to celebrate 100 years of water service, we want to start with some foundational information about the history of Bend’s water services.
Do you prefer to learn about history through reading and videos? Or do you need an excuse to get out and explore, see new things and talk to people face to face? Or, are you the kind of person who likes to take action to protect our precious water systems?
Whichever you are, we have something for you! Engage with our water system in one or all of the following ways, let us know you did, and every time you participate you can enter a drawing to win prizes as the campaign wraps up at the end of the year.
- Learn about where Bend’s water comes from, how it’s treated and the people behind the system.
- Explore the places and facilities that make our water exceptional.
- Protect our water by taking simple, meaningful actions at home and in the community.
Learn
- Watch this video about historical use of the Deschutes River and learn about the incomparable Prowell Springs, how it feeds our unique water system and why it was selected. Use this form to submit selfies and tell us something you found interesting, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a prize.
- In Bend, we’re lucky to have exceptional water. Read this article from the Deschutes County Historical Society about a water crisis in the 1920s that led to the City owning water services for the community, and how we’ve maintained and grown this system with more modern equipment and technology to serve the growing community. Use this form and tell us something you found interesting, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a prize.
- We have amazing staff members! Submit an “Ask the Water Expert” question through this form and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a prize. Questions will be compiled and answered on the website later this year and shared via updates when you sign up to stay connected to our celebration of water!
- For middle or high school students: Create a 30-second video and enter the Student Video Competition. Winners of this contest can earn up to $1,000! Learn more at: One Water Student Video Contest – City of Bend
Explore
- Visit the Water Services booth at the Earth Day Fair & Parade, a family-friendly community event, on Saturday, April 25, 11-3 at Alpenglow Park, 61049 SE 15th St. Grab some brochures and I ❤️ Bend Water swag related to the history of the City’s Water Services. Take a selfie with one of our staff or in front of our booth and send it in to be entered in a drawing for prizes.
- Visit the Public Works Open House May 14 at 21051 NE Talus Place. You can tour the demonstration garden to learn how landscapes can help protect our precious water resources. Or, check out historical water pipes in the display case on the third floor of Headquarters. Take a selfie with either of these and send it in to be entered in a drawing for prizes.
- Visit the historical interpretive signage on the boardwalk section at Farewell Bend Park, which is located at 1000 SW Reed Market Road, near the base of the Bill Healy Memorial Bridge. More information is here from Bend Park & Recreation District. Take a selfie and send it in to be entered in a drawing for prizes.
Protect
- Sign up for WaterSmart , City software that helps you monitor your daily water use, receive alerts and possibly stop costly leaks and more! Everyone who signs up will be entered to win prizes.
- Help us celebrate clean water by marking storm drains in your neighborhood with “Don’t Pollute” decals to identify where roads drain into the waterways, to help prevent river pollution. See “Stormwater Marking Kits” at the Stormwater Public Education and Outreach webpage or email stormwater@bendoregon.gov to request a kit.
- Take the Water Conservation Pledge and use this monthly checklist to help you use less water and save money on your utility bills all year long. By taking one or two simple steps each month, you can help protect our water for future generations. Take a selfie of yourself fulfilling an item on the checklist and send it in to be entered in a drawing for prizes.
- Participate in Fix A Leak Week March 16-22. Snap a picture of yourself completing leak check challenges such as checking showerheads or toilets for leaks. Email photos to conservation@bendoregon.gov at the end of the week and be entered to win prizes from Water Conservation programs.
