Water System Planning

Do you know how the City plans for Bend’s water future? The process and importance of the Integrated Water System Master Plan adopted by the City Council in September 2021 is detailed below.

Nearly 100 years ago, the City of Bend bought a private water system that was struggling with a contaminated water supply and couldn’t meet the needs of a rapidly growing city. Watch the 10-minute video below to learn how careful planning and investment today will ensure that Bend can continue to provide safe and reliable water for the next 100 years.

The City’s Integrated Water System Master Plan evaluated the condition and capacity of Bend’s water system to serve our growing community over the next 20 years and beyond. This comprehensive plan included conservation, operations, and economic analyses to recommend improvements critical to the safe and reliable operation of our water system.

Key Points

• Assessment: We evaluated the entire water system, including pipes, pumps, wells, and reservoirs, to identify areas of concern and prioritize investments.
• Condition: Some parts of the system are new, while others need maintenance or replacement.
• Growth: We considered Bend’s projected population growth and water demands over the next 20 years to ensure our infrastructure is appropriately sized.
• Resilience: We identified areas needing improvements to withstand emergencies like fires.

Good News: With our two sources of supply, Bend is well-positioned to meet water demands in 2040. Our conservation program will help us do even more with less.

More Information

• 5 Things to Know about the Integrated Water System Master Plan (En Español)
• Condition Assessment Fact Sheet (En Español)
• Integrated Water System Master Plan Fact Sheet  (En Español)
• Browse the Integrated Water System Master Plan

The City’s Water Management and Conservation Plan identifies cost-effective measures to save water and infrastructure dollars. After evaluating hundreds of potential measures, the plan outlines 11 with the highest indoor and outdoor water savings potential. Implementing these measures could save $10 million by delaying the need for three new wells and a large reservoir.

Key Points

• Conservation Success: Despite our population doubling since 2000, our highest water-use day demand is less than it was in 2008.
• Outdoor Use: In Bend, 60% of our annual water use is for landscape irrigation.

• Water Management and Conservation Plan (WMCP) 2021
• Bend WaterWise Program ECC Engagement Summary for Council
• Bend WaterWise Program Environment and Climate Committee Engagement Summary December 2021 
• Bend Sept 2021 WMCP: OWRD Final Order, Oct 12, 2021

Archives

• WMCP Progress Report 2016
• WMCP 2011
• WMCP 2004

• Current Integrated Water System Master Plan (IWSMP) – 2021

Archives

• Water System Master Plan – 2011 Update (Optimization Study)
  • Master Plan Update Final Report – 2011
  • Appendix A – Project Documentation, Technical Memo
  • Appendix B – Consequence of Failure
  • Appendix C – Design Data Summary
  • Appendix D – Summer and Winter Operations
  • Appendix E – Storage Guideline Review
  • Appendix F – MSA Memos
  • Appendix G – Costing
  • Appendix H – Fireflow Improvements
  • Appendix I – Scale Maps
• Water System Master Plan – 2007 Update
• Water Utility Plan – 1996 Update is Section IV of the Utilities System Master Plan
• Water System Master Plan – 1980
• Water System Engineering Study – 1964
• Water Source Report – 1924
• Water System Appraisal – 1924

• Water Services Department
• Total Water Management Programs
• Bend’s One Water Cycle Fly-Over Tour
• Water Services Customer Welcome page
• WaterWiseTips.org
• Educational Resources
• Emergency Preparedness Resources

Stay Informed

Interested in having our Engineering team talk to your organization? Contact us: (541) 330-4000.