City of Bend
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The Extra Strength Charge Program ensures businesses that produce wastewater with higher-than-usual pollutant content contribute fairly to the cost of cleaning it, helping to keep Bend's sewer system efficient and equitable for everyone.
ImportanceExtra Strength Wastewater SourcesHistoryFAQsAdditional Information and Resources
The Extra Strength Charge helps cover the cost of treating wastewater that contains higher levels of pollutants than typical household water. When a business releases wastewater with more pollutants, they pay more to ensure our treatment systems stay effective for everyone.
Importance of the Extra Strength Charge
The City of Bend treats nearly all of the community’s wastewater and sets sewer rates to cover the associated costs. Because not all customers generate the same volume or type of wastewater, the City uses a two-part rate structure: a volume charge based on flow, and an Extra Strength Charge for wastewater with higher concentrations of pollutants. This ensures that businesses and industries producing more heavily polluted wastewater pay their fair share—rather than passing those costs on to all customers.
Extra Strength Wastewater Sources
Businesses like restaurants, bakeries, breweries and laundries often produce extra strength wastewater. These businesses have high levels of pollutants like Biochemical Oxygen Demand and Total Suspended Solids in their wastewater.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand measures the amount of oxygen needed to reduce pollution to a safe level. Total Suspended Solids measures the amount of visible matter in the wastewater that needs to be removed at the treatment plant.
History
In May 2012, the City Council paused the previous Extra Strength Charge program and directed City staff to work collaboratively with local businesses to modernize the 30-year-old system. The City formed the Extra Strength Charge Advisory Group to work closely with City staff, review the old program and suggest improvements. The Council approved their recommendations in Spring 2014, leading to the launch of a new program with new charges implemented July 1, 2015.