City of Bend offers free sprinkler inspection

The City of Bend WaterWise Program is kicking off the growing season with free sprinkler inspections for Bend utility customers in an effort to conserve our most precious natural resource, water.

It’s estimated that about 60 percent of all residential water use is for landscape irrigation. Much of that water is wasted due to misaligned or damaged sprinklers, runoff, overspray and improper scheduling.

“Everyone with an irrigation system has a responsibility to ensure that it is functioning properly and getting water where it supposed to be, to the plant roots,” says Mike Buettner, Water Conservation Program Manager for the city.

“Too much of our water is ending up on city streets where it can pick up dirt, oil and other contaminants before flowing into a storm drain and negatively impact our watershed health.”

This is the second year of the program. Sprinkler inspections include a visual check, irrigation schedule review, tests for pressure and soil type, and more.

Bend utility customers interested in receiving a free sprinkler inspection can call541-317-3000(option 2) or emailconservation@bendoregon.govto schedule an appointment. Appointments are limited and are available May through August.