Bend sets second ‘septic to sewer’ listening session

The Bend City Council is weighing options for transitioning one of Bend’s unsewered neighborhoods from septic systems to sewer service. The SE Bend Septic to Sewer Advisory Committee recently gave the council its recommendations for financing and implementing public sewer.

Property owners in unsewered areas and citywide sewer utility ratepayers may all be affected.

The Bend City Council has scheduled a second Septic to Sewer “listening session” from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, at the Bend Senior Center, 1600 SE Reed Market Road. This is an opportunity for those who have not already testified at the first listening session to share their thoughts with the council regarding options to resolve the issue. Comments can also be submitted to Councilors in writing at council@bendoregon.gov.

The August 29 listening session will not be a council deliberation or question-and-answer session with those providing public input. The City Council will schedule future work sessions where potential solutions to the many challenges facing this project will be discussed. Final decisions on how to address this issue will be decided upon only after public hearings, likely to be held later this fall.

Learn more at www.bendoregon.gov/septictosewer and follow City Council agendas at www.bendoregon.gov/councilagenda.