City of Bend urges residents to cut water use amid chlorine shortage; plant should be back online soon

(Update: Spare part helps get chlorine plant back online in Longview, Wash.)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The city of Bend is asking all of its water customers to make a voluntary reduction in water usage, starting Friday, due to a continued shortage of chlorine used in the water treatment process.

The city said it became aware last week of a critical chlorine supply issue creating a shortage throughout the West that may affect Bend.

The chlorine shortage was caused by an equipment failure at a chlorine manufacturing facility that supplies the West Coast. 

However, there was good news about that on Friday, from The Associated Press. After a “major electrical failure” at the Longview, Washington Westlake Chemical company plant earlier this month caused chlorine shortages across the West Coast, a local business has stepped in to help replace the part and get the plant back online.

The Daily News reports NORPAC gave the plant a spare transformer and production restarted on Wednesday. A piece of equipment experienced a failure with an electrical transformer in early June and had to be sent for repairs. Plant officials originally estimated the plant would be offline until the end of June at a minimum. Westlake said in a statement it will be letting customers know when they will get chlorine deliveries.

In the meantime, Bend, like others, are being prudent and seeking residents' help.

“Our drinking water coming out of your tap remains safe to drink and use,” says Michael Buettner, the city Utility Department director. “Protection of public health is the city of Bend Utility Department’s number one priority.”

A voluntary reduction decreases the demand for our water system during these hot summer days. At a minimum, this conservation method means adhering to the Bend Water Use Code.

The code balances water demands and reduces waste by outlining the following actions:

• Outdoor irrigation on even/odd days, depending on your house address,
• Reducing runtimes to assure no over-watering occurs,
• Eliminating runoff into the street or sidewalk, 
• Repairing any broken sprinkler equipment as soon as possible, and
• Refraining from unnecessary extra water uses, such as filling pools, washing down hard surfaces, or cars with a hose.

"A collaborative community effort to conserve water will help reduce the strains of peak season water demands, especially during this critical time. It may also prevent the need to move to mandatory reductions," the city said. 

"Our partners at Bend-La Pine Schools, the Bend Park and Recreation District, and Central Oregon Community College have joined the city in committing to reducing water use to help the collective effort," the announcement said..

The City of Bend Water Conservation staff is available to educate and assist customers in preventing water waste and finding ways to save water while maintaining landscape health. Offerings include free assistance through the Sprinkler Inspection Program and the Large Landscape Program for larger properties with over an acre of landscape. Additional resources and tips are available at www.waterwisetips.org.