City of Bend declares ‘water curtailment alert’
Bend City Manager Eric King declared a Stage 1 water curtailment alert Friday for the city, in the wake of a state drought declaration for Deschutes County. But he said citizens are under no new restrictions at present, only urged to conserve water ahead of what could be a long, dry summer.
“Water conservation is more important than ever,” King said.
Earlier Friday, Oregon Governor Kate Brown made a drought declaration for Deschutes County. The ongoing forecast shows lower than normal precipitation and higher than normal temperatures.
This Stage 1 water curtailment alert in Bend, in accordance with its state-approved water conservation and management plan, will not require any mandatory actions by customers, but is a reminder that everyone needs to be responsible with water use, the city said.
For helpful tips: www.waterwisetips.org. For the latest City of Bend drought-related information: www.bendoregon.gov/drought.
King said the city of Bend is fortunate to have two sources of water supply: Bridge Creek and the Deschutes River regional aquifer.
“Dual sources of water supply along with a commitment to water conservation and efficiency have positioned the city well to continue to meet all residential, commercial and industrial needs during this current period of drought,” the city announcement said.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Is the City of Bend going to be facing any water supply issues with this drought?
A: No. The City does not anticipate any shortages in water supply. The City’s dual sources of surface and groundwater, in addition to its emphasis on water conservation and its existing regulations, have positioned the City well heading into the 2015 growing season. The City will continue to monitor the water supply conditions. See information on all our existing water use rules and WaterWise tips at www.waterwisetips.org.
Q: Will the City impose any irrigation or watering restrictions as a result of the drought?
A: The City does not anticipate any mandatory water supply restrictions this growing season. However, there are existing irrigation regulations including designated even and odd irrigation days and irrigation hours (no irrigation between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.) that residents should be aware of. Efficient water use is strongly encouraged. Information about water conservation, including designated irrigation days and hours, can be found at www.waterwisetips.org.
Q. I live in the city but get my water from Avion or Roats. What does this mean for me?
A. Private water companies like Avion and Roats have their own water curtailment plans. Check with your water provider to see what restrictions, if any, they have in place.
Q: What does the drought declaration by Deschutes County mean?
A: The drought declaration provides a streamlined path to emergency water supply and emergency funding, mostly for agricultural water users. The Governor’s declaration provides this water supply flexibility by expediting water regulatory actions from the state Water Resources Department, and the official state declaration process opens the door to several federal emergency funding programs, again primarily for agriculture. Please see: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=usda_drought_programs.html&contentidonly=true
Q: Where can I go to find more information on drought in Oregon?
A: The Oregon Water Resources Department “drought page” is an excellent resource to find up-to-date information on the current levels of drought within the state.
Oregon Water Resources Department – online drought information
