Water Reclamation Facility Plan Update
The City is embarking on a long-range plan for the City’s water reclamation facility, called the Water Reclamation Facility Plan Update.
The Water Reclamation Facility Plan Update will shape future development and maintenance of Bend’s Water Reclamation Facility. Development of this plan will help the City achieve the Council’s goal to “ensure water, wastewater, and stormwater systems are aligned with the needs of a growing community”
The Water Reclamation Facility Plan Update is a 20-year planning document that establishes a clear vision for our community’s water reclamation facility, a vital facility of our City. The plan identifies both short-term and long-term facility improvements needed to address existing condition and capacity issues, and plan for future capacity. This project is an update that builds upon the framework and treatment system concepts established in the 2008 Water Reclamation Facility Plan.
Schedule
STEP ONE – WRF Facility Plan Update Development
The planning and development process includes evaluating the current condition of the Water Reclamation Facility; establishing a long term vision informed by flow and loading projections and related assumptions; and developing both immediate (5 year) and long range (20-year) service and capital improvement projects. The estimated development timeline has been adjusted to accommodate additional work, including renewal of the City’s Water Pollution Control Facility Permit. Plan adoption is now expected to conclude in early Winter 2026.
- City is under contract with a professional engineering consultant approved on 10/16/2024 by City Council.
- Estimated timeline for development – Winter 2024 – Fall/Winter 2025
- Official project kickoff – November 2024
- Initiate the Environmental Regulatory Review with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in mid-February 2025.
- In mid-May 2025 evaluation of existing facilities and the project site, including an onsite condition assessment of structures and equipment.
- Progress update to the Stewardship Subcommittee in July 2025. Watch the recording of the presentation.
- In early fall 2025, completion of refined flow and loading projections through 2045. These projections were developed in concert with the ongoing Collection System Master Plan (CSMP) Update project team. This information will advise existing and future capacity needs based on population growth.
- During winter 2025-2026, performed an alternatives analysis to identify solutions addressing capacity, redundancy, and regulatory compliance.
- Immediate needs identified include an additional anaerobic digester, a hauled waste management system, and an additional secondary clarifier.
- In early spring 2026, City staff began developing a draft 20-year Capital Improvement Plan.
- April 2026 – Public Facility Providers Progress Update: Project update provided in combination with City’s Collection System Master Plan update to public facility providers (e.g., county governments, electrical utilities).
- This update also supported the ancillary development of a Sanitary Sewer System Public Facility Plan, required under Oregon Statewide Planning Goal 11.
STEP TWO – City Council Approval
- Once the updated Water Reclamation Facility Plan has been completed, the final plan will be formally presented to the City Council for approval and adoption. City Council adoption is anticipated to occur in early Winter 2026.
Project Documents
1SFPU Solicitation Number 24-3209
- City of Bend 2008 Water Reclamation Facilities Plan
- City of Bend Water Pollution Control Facilities (WPCF) Permit
- CWSRF Original Loan Agreement between the City and DEQ
- CWSRF Amendment #1 to Original Loan Agreement between the City and DEQ
- City of Bend Strategic Energy Management Plan
- City of Bend Regional Resource Recovery Alternative Analysis Report
- City of Bend Community Climate Action Plan
- City of Bend 2014 Collection System Master Plan
- City of Bend 2024 Collection System Master Plan Update (Ongoing)
- Guidelines for Preparing Wastewater Planning Documents and Environmental Reports for Public Utilities: Department of Environmental Quality : Planning, Design and Construction : Clean Water State Revolving Fund : State of Oregon
- Department of Land Conservation and Development : Goal 11: Public Facilities and Services : Oregon Planning : State of Oregon
- City Council Stewardship Subcommittee | Public Involvement Approach & Plan (Presentation)