In addition to providing potable water supply for human consumption and sanitation needs for the City of Bend’s water customers, the City also needs to keep 20 pounds per square inch of water pressure throughout the City’s distribution system and minimum levels of water storage in our reservoirs for fire protection.

The City has a three-stage water curtailment plan that water customers may need to participate in if there’s ever a water shortage. Curtailment stages reduce water demand during supply shortages, which can happen as the result of prolonged drought or system failure from unanticipated events, including fire, lightning strikes, flooding, landslides, earthquakes and contamination, mechanical or electrical equipment failure, or events not under control of the City (for example, power outages and/or intentional malevolent acts).

These three curtailment stages are of increasing severity and could be initiated in progressive steps or at the highest level on short notice. These curtailment stages (1- POTENTIAL, 2- SERIOUS AND 3- SEVERE) are separate from and in addition to Seasonal Advisory Alerts (which are intended to heighten customer awareness of City code requirements regarding seasonal outdoor landscape irrigation water use.)

OVERVIEW OF THE THREE STAGES:

Stage 1: Potential water shortage alert

Triggers could include: minor damage to the distribution system, mechanical or electrical failure at source supplies, extensive periods of high water demand, disruption in the supply chain for chlorine or other chemicals required for water treatment.

What happens in Stage 1?

City reiterates the Seasonal Advisory Alerts requesting voluntary water use reductions.
City directs specific customer groups, geographic areas, or pressure zones to reduce water use.
Customers should reduce or halt landscape irrigation.
Customers can’t fill swimming pools or ponds; operate water features; wash sidewalks, driveways, and patios.

Enforceable?

Stage 1 requests voluntary compliance.

Water Curtailment Stages_Level 2

Stage 2: Serious water shortage alert

Triggers could include: significant damage to water source supplies and/or distribution system, a credible threat against key utility infrastructure, or threat of fire to the Bend Municipal Watershed utility infrastructure.

What happens in Stage 2?

The City activates a program to stop all nonessential water use.
The City may prohibit nonessential water use across specific customer groups, geographic areas, or pressure zones.
Customers must not irrigate landscapes, fill swimming pools or ponds, operate water features, wash sidewalks, driveways, and patios and should refrain from any outdoor water use.

Enforceable? Stage 2 allows for enforcement of mandatory water use restrictions through the City’s Code Enforcement Division.

Water Curtailment Stages_Level 3

Stage 3: Severe water shortage alert

Triggers could include: extensive damage to water supply or distribution infrastructure, contamination of water sources or a fire in the Bend Municipal Watershed. In addition to significant emergencies that impair the City’s ability to provide water, high demand (summer) conditions can add to this situation.

What happens in Stage 3?

The City may prohibit all water uses except those necessary for human consumption and sanitation needs.
Outdoor water use is prohibited. Customers must not irrigate landscapes, fill swimming pools or ponds; operate water features; wash sidewalks, driveways, and patios.

Enforceable? Stage 3 is enforceable through the City’s Code Enforcement Division. As a Class B violation (Municipal Code section 14.20.040), using water not necessary for human consumption and sanitation can come with a maximum civil penalty of $400 per day.

More details on the curtailment plan can be found in Section 4, starting on page 61 of the:

Water Management and Conservation Plan

If there’s a declared drought, is there automatic curtailment?

If the City is within a drought area declared by the Governor, the City will consider whether mandatory or voluntary curtailment measures are needed to meet system demands, and will determine which stage of curtailment should be initiated. Regardless of whether curtailment is needed, the City will encourage customers to conserve and use water efficiently through its regular Seasonal Advisory Alerts and other WaterWise Program efforts.

Learn more about drought at www.bendoregon.gov/drought

How will I know if there’s a curtailment in effect?

The City has several communication channels for relaying important information about a supply shortage, including voluntary or mandatory measures. The City may rely on social media, local television, radio, and print media; strategically located sandwich boards or road signs; and the City of Bend’s website to communicate with customers on an ongoing basis about a supply shortage. Sign up for news releases at www.bendoregon.gov/enews to make sure you get emails directly!

Does this happen a lot?

No. Within the last decade, the City has not experienced water shortages resulting from system failure related to catastrophic events, mechanical or electric equipment failure, or insufficient flows in Tumalo Creek.

We are fortunate to have two sources of water. We benefit from surface water from Prowell Springs which flows by gravity down Bridge Creek and we also have groundwater wells connected to the Deschutes Regional Aquifer to supplement our water supply and meet peak demands. (Learn more about Bend's water supplies at this online Water System Tour.)

Over the last decade, the City has not had shortages serious enough to trigger curtailment orders. We have had brief interruptions to the City’s surface water supply from turbidity events, lightning strikes, and planned and unplanned maintenance. However, during those times, the City has been able to increase reliance on groundwater sources to meet demands.

The City also has experienced occasional short-duration interruptions to normal service delivery as a result of pipe or water main breaking, lightning striking wells, and other mechanical or electrical malfunctions of its water supply and delivery system. In these events, the City has relied on its unaffected water sources, either surface water or groundwater, during the service interruption.

How can I be prepared to reduce water use in a curtailment event?

Where can I learn more?

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader