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Outback Expansion Plan
The Outback Expansion aims to enhance water treatment, security, and resilience in Bend by adding pretreatment systems, reservoirs, wells, in-conduit hydroelectric generation, and a wildfire water fill station, while also meeting federal security requirements and supporting City Council environmental goals.
The City of Bend provides reliable, high-quality water to community members, visitors, and businesses. Approximately 60% of the City’s annual supply is surface water from the Bend Municipal Watershed. The remainder is pumped from groundwater wells within the Deschutes Regional Aquifer during the summer months when usage peaks.
This City carefully plans and manages drinking water supplies and infrastructure to maintain water quality and service. The “Outback” is the site of the surface water filtration facility, wells and water storage. It is a critical component of Bend’s water system.
Location
Located on Skyliners Road west of Bend.
Background
Planning Bend’s Water Future
The City adopted an Integrated Water System Master Plan in 2021 (iWSMP), which identified a need to expand the City-owned, 15-acre Outback site with an additional 48 acres of adjacent Forest Service land to serve our growing community over the next 20 years and beyond. Outback has nearly reached its development capacity with both above- and below-ground infrastructure, and expanding the Outback site will help the City meet several key needs identified in the master plan. To complete essential infrastructure improvements, accommodate future needs of the community, and provide greater protections and resiliency of the City’s water supply for both drinking and emergency response, the City is working to acquire the adjacent 48 acres of Forest Service land through a process called the Townsite Act.
Expanding the Outback
The Outback Expansion will provide space for short- and long-term planned improvements including:
- Pretreatment System: Pretreating water to remove sediment and reduce turbidity before it reaches the existing microfiltration facility increases the facility’s efficiency and resilience to natural disasters like wildfire and severe storm events.
- Additional Site Security: The expansion allows the City to meet new federal security requirements for water systems.
- Reservoirs and Groundwater Wells: Additional reservoirs and wells will improve system resilience and flexibility to perform required maintenance and upgrades to existing infrastructure.
- In-Conduit Hydroelectric Generation: The addition of hydroelectric generation from the water that is already flowing into the facility can offset operational costs and provide a more sustainable source of electricity for our community.
- Wildfire Fill Station: The construction of a wildfire water fill station will allow access to water by Bend Fire & Rescue, the FS and other firefighting agencies.
- Fulfilling City Council Goals: This expansion helps the City achieve the Council Goal related to: Environment & Climate; Improve quality of life for more people in Bend by increasing equitable access to clear air, water and to a healthy environment. Implement solutions that fulfill the City’s commitment to being good stewards of our natural environment, decreasing carbon emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.