Water Providers Urge Conservation as Drought Pressures Increase in Bend

The City of Bend and local water providers Avion Water Co. and Roats Water System are alerting customers of increasing strain on our water systems as drought conditions worsen in Central Oregon this summer. With a dry winter behind us and irrigation season beginning, outdoor water use is placing significant pressure on community water systems.

To maintain reliable drinking water, preserve adequate fire flow and avoid potential service interruptions, customers from all three water providers are strongly encouraged to take the following immediate steps to reduce water use, particularly outdoor water use:

Follow your water provider’s irrigation days and times

Use your water provider’s guidelines for watering on even- or odd-numbered days and during approved hours. Following these guidelines helps distribute demand more evenly throughout the week, allowing water systems to recover and maintain stable levels in storage reservoirs located throughout the City.

Use efficient irrigation scheduling

Apply only the amount of water your landscape requires:

Lawns need about 1.5 inches per week during the peak of summer, and less in spring and fall.
Drought-tolerant plants need about 0.7 inches per week.
Trees need about 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter per week. That means a tree with a 5-inch-wide trunk would need 50 gallons of water per week, with less frequent watering for mature trees.

Understanding your sprinkler system’s application rate will help you set accurate runtimes. The City of Bend has information and resources, including free rain gauges, to help residents follow best practices for watering landscapes. Visit WaterWiseTips.org.

Perform regular irrigation system maintenance

Inspect your system routinely and fix leaks, misaligned or obstructed sprinklers and mixed sprinkler types. These problems reduce efficiency and lead to water waste.

Monitor your water consumption

Review your monthly water use through your bill or, for City of Bend customers, through the WaterSmart online customer portal. Comparing current use to previous years can help identify problems early, prevent emergencies by identifying broken or malfunctioning equipment and reduce utility costs.

This advisory is intended to help the community avoid mandatory outdoor watering restrictions later in the season. Taking simple steps now can help keep water systems stable and protect Bend’s water supply throughout the summer. For more helpful information and programs visit WaterWiseTips.org.

This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.