November 2026 Bend WAG Meeting Recording mp4

The City of Bend’s Water Advisory Group (WAG) meeting on November 9, 2026, included an update on the planned Central Oregon Stormwater Manual (COSM) revision. Bend, Redmond, Sisters, and Deschutes County are working to sign an intergovernmental agreement to fund the effort; other regional agencies may participate in review. After an agency scoping process, the City of Bend expects to hire an engineering consultant for the technical work. The update is estimated to take 18 months to two years, with completion potentially by the end of 2028. No contract award, spending vote, or specific budget amount was reported; WAG members are expected to provide input during scoping and later phases.

Discussion focused on updating outdated storm-sizing data and standards, including drywell design and testing, groundwater and drinking-water protections, infiltration near structures and steep slopes, and guidance for newer stormwater facilities such as porous pavement. Participants noted practical and cost concerns with testing large infiltration facilities and discussed maintenance experience with porous pavement. The new NOAA Atlas 15 precipitation dataset, expected around 2027, may inform the manual’s update. The group also previewed further WAG input on the COSM process in 2027; no procurement decisions were made.