Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Resources topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Irrigation district piping project could be used for aquifer recharge, staff say
Summary
Council heard an update on the Central Oregon Irrigation District piping project and its potential to direct winter flows for artificial aquifer recharge; staff noted environmental review, tribal consultation and treatment needs remain to be resolved.
Redmond staff reported that the Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) piping project will include a public hearing and could provide winter flows for artificial aquifer recharge that would help local wells, but the plan requires environmental review and tribal consultation.
Staff said COID plans to begin construction later this year and that a public hearing on environmental review was scheduled for the senior center. Possible recharge approaches were discussed, with staff noting existing recharge sites such as the Tumalo Reservoir and other locations between Bend and Redmond. One councilor asked whether piping the canals had contributed to aquifer declines, and staff said the answer is more complex but that piping can alter infiltration dynamics.
Councilors asked about water quality and whether treatment would be required before surface water is used for recharge; staff said surface‑water treatment considerations would need to be addressed in coordination with water‑resources experts, tribes and environmental reviewers.
Next steps: staff will request technical details (hydrology and water‑quality parameters) from COID and follow up as the environmental review and public hearing process proceeds.
