Bend dropping flat water rate, urging conservation

Beginning July 1, the city of Bend will base water and sewer bills on every drop of water you use. So conserving water could save you money, the city said Wednesday as it offered a free water-saving kit and other tools to help do just that.

The city is offering its water customers a handful of water conservation tools to help manage and reduce water use inside the home in 2015. This is especially important during the winter months, when the city calculates residential customers’ winter quarter average amount of water used.

The winter quarter average, the amount of water used on average during the months of December, January and February, will now be used to calculate residential customers’ monthly sewer charges.

Water conserved indoors during the winter months not only saves water, it also helps lower sewer charges throughout the year. Now, more than ever, is the time to make sure you’re using water wisely inside the home, the city says.

Visit www.waterwisetips.org to:

Watch the latest City Edition video that details the recent change in the city’s utility rate structure and offers some helpful indoor conservation tips.
Use the Home Water Works Calculator to see how much water you use and where you use it, calculate your water-carbon footprint and see how you compare to others in the area.
Request a Free Indoor Water Conservation Kit complete with EPA WaterSense shower head, faucet aerators, toilet dye tabs and more.

The city said it “is proud to partner with EPA WaterSense, Alliance for Water Efficiency and Irrigation Association to promote the wise and sustainable use of the city’s water resources.” Learn more about the city’s water conservation efforts at www.waterwisetips.org, email us at conservation@bendoregon.gov, or call us at 541-317-3000.