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graphic of city of bend utilities water cycle

Where does City of Bend water come from? Where does it go after we use it? How can we protect one of our community’s most valuable resources? Find the answers here...

ONE WATER (Española)

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 Your 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.

Backflow Prevention

TEST YOUR IRRIGATION BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY EVERY YEAR

Your sprinkler system is equipped irrigation backflow prevention devices protect drinking water in homes and businesses 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.

Visit bendoregon.gov/crossconnection for more information about backflow prevention and annual testing requirements.

Stormwater System

STORMWATER

What It Is and Why It’s So 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. Learn to create a rain garden and more at bendoregon.gov/cleanwaterworks .

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)

stormwater infrastructure in bend

Only rain down the storm drain.

Protect our water by reporting spills and illegal dumping by calling (541) 317-3000 Ext. 2.

Learn more at bendoregon.gov/stormwater

Sewer System

water reclamation facility treatment process

At the City of Bend Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), wastewater is not wasted. It is cleaned through a series of treatment processes at the WRF 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 TROUBLE

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.

Learn more at bendoregon.gov/wastewater or bendoregon.gov/fog.

Utility Service Charges

graphic of river and utilty service vehicle and worker with customer

City of Bend's water, sewer and stormwater services are combined into one bill, but not all customer 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 at bendoregon.gov/utilitybilling.

We also offer the following payment options for your convenience:

Pay Online: invoicecloud.com/bendorutility (or bendoregon.gov/utilitybilling 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 (9:30-5, M-F excluding holidays)
U.S. Mail: (Check or money order only. Please include your statement coupon.)
City of Bend Utilities Payments
P.O. Box 34533
Seattle, WA 98124-1533

Contact the City of Bend Billing Department

Phone: (541) 388-5515
Email: utilitiesonline@bendoregon.gov - Please allow two business days for a response.
Website: bendoregon.gov/utilitybilling

Water Conservation

BEND IS GROWING, BUT 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

For more tools and tip visit bendoregon.gov/conservation.

*Chart data: Water Research Foundation

Meter to Tap and Easement Access

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 Utility staff have access to these areas to service and maintain the utility 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 utility box free of landscaping and debris so City of Bend Utility 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.

If you have questions about easement access or utilities, please call (541) 317-3000 Ext 2.

Contact Information

UTILITY BILLING

To Start or Stop Water and Sewer Services (541) 388-5515
Utility Billing Questions (541) 388-5515

UTILITY CUSTOMER SERVICE

Leaks, Related Emergencies* (541) 317-3000, Ext. 2
*For serious emergencies that threaten life or health, dial 911

Sewer Problems (541) 317-3000, Ext. 2

PERMIT CENTER / COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Fire Flow Analysis and Sewer Flow Analysis (541) 388-5580, Ext. 4

Water or Sewer Service Permit Fees (541) 388-5528
Utility Locates - CALL BEFORE YOU DIG - Dial 811

OTHER WATER SUPPLIERS IN BEND

Avion Water (541) 382-5342
Roats Water (541) 382-3029

Irrigation Districts in Bend

Arnold Irrigation District (541) 382-7664
Central Oregon Irrigation District (CIOC) (541) 548-6047
Swalley Irrigation District (541) 388-0658

MORE ABOUT CITY OF BEND UTILITIES

bendoregon.gov/utilities