Health Information from the EPA and CDC

Potential Contaminants

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Types of Contaminants

• Microbial Contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage plants, septic systems, farms, and wildlife.
• Pesticides and Herbicides: From farms, stormwater runoff, and homes.
• Inorganic Contaminants: Salts and metals from natural sources, stormwater, wastewater, or farming.
• Organic Chemical Contaminants: Byproducts of industrial processes, gas stations, stormwater, and septic systems.
• Radioactive Contaminants: From natural sources or oil and gas production and mining.

To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protections for public health.

Information for Immunocompromised Persons

Some people are more at risk from contaminants in drinking water. This includes those with cancer, organ transplants, HIV/AIDS, immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants. They should ask their doctors about safe drinking water. Guidelines to reduce infection risk are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Lead

Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Bend Water Department is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home. You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing. You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family's risk. Before drinking tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes. You can also use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water. If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact Bend Water Department at 541-317-3000, ext. 2. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at epa.gov/safewater/lead.

In 2024, the Bend Water Department completed a service line inventory using approved statistical analysis and determined it has zero (0) lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines of the 30,634 service lines inventoried. Results can be found at: yourwater.oregon.gov/leadcopper.php?pwsno=00100. More information can be found at: bendoregon.gov/waterquality.

Definitions and Units of Measure

• Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
• Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
• Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that the addition of a disinfectant is necessary for the control of microbial contaminants.
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination.
• Most Probable Number (MPN): A method used to estimate the concentration of microorganisms.
• Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A measure of water’s clarity (turbidity).
• Not Applicable (N/A)
• Not Detected (ND): Substance not detectable using current monitoring equipment.
• Part per Million (ppm): Also known as milligrams per liter (mg/L) which is equal to the number of milligrams of a substance in one liter of water. One part per million is equal to 1,000 parts per billion.
• Part per Billion (ppb): Also known as micrograms per liter (μg/L) which is equal to the number of micrograms of a substance in one liter of water.
• Part per Trillion (ppt): Also known as nanograms per liter (ng/L) which is equal to the number of nanograms of a substance in one liter of water.
• 90th Percentile: This means that 90 percent of the samples collected were equal to or below the value reported.
• Treatment Technique: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

For more definitions and tips to understanding your water quality report, visit the EPA website at epa.gov/ccr/understanding-your-annual-water-quality-report.

The Bend Water Department and the City of Bend Water Quality Laboratory had three violations for late/nonreporting of Surface Water Treatment Rules in 2024 on March 19, April 29 and December 30. The results were transmitted to Oregon Health Authority after the monthly reporting deadlines. Bend Water Department returned to compliance automatically on May 9th, 2024 and January 10, 2025, when following monthly reports were submitted. At no time during the violation period were Bend Water Department customers at risk nor was the quality of drinking water compromised.

Bend has two water supply sources:

1. Bend Municipal Watershed The Bend Municipal Watershed, in the Tumalo Creek / Bridge Creek drainages of the Deschutes National Forest, supplies surface water.
2. Deschutes Regional Aquifer The City operates 20 wells to pump groundwater from the Deschutes Regional Aquifer to supplement the surface water.

All surface water from Bend Municipal Watershed is treated, at the Water Filtration Facility by membrane filtration, which removes pathogens and other particles too small for the naked eye to see. A small amount of chlorine is added to deactivate any viruses and bacteria while keeping our network of storage tanks and pipelines clean. This image shows a snapshot of the surface water filtration process.

Bend's water system has low potential for contamination.

Groundwater is naturally filtered by layers of soil, volcanic rock, sand, and gravel. Small amounts of chlorine are added when the water is pumped to ensure it is safe to drink and keep our distribution system of storage tanks and pipelines clean

Oregon Health Authority has determined through source water assessments that Bend Water Department’ system has a low potential for contamination. For further information visit oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthyenvironments/drinkingwater/sourcewater/pages/index.aspx.