Water Supply Resiliency Planning in Central Oregon

The Second in a Three-Part Series of NEBC Technical Workshops on Water and Environmental Resiliency

Presented by GSI Water Solutions

The Cities of Prineville and Redmond have experienced dramatic growth in water demand in recent years, which has required creative approaches to providing a sustainable water supply in these High Desert cities. The City of Prineville is implementing a cutting-edge aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) project, which has involved developing a wellfield and new water treatment plant in the valley floor, pumping that water up to the plateau, and storing that water in an ancestral aquifer during winter for recovery in the peak summer season and in times of drought. The City of Prineville also created the award-winning Crooked River Wetlands Complex, a 120-acre park designed to treat and cool wastewater. The wetlands provide fish and wildlife habitat while saving residents millions of dollars in future wastewater treatment.

As a result of these types of pioneering projects, the City of Prineville is well-positioned to accommodate significant economic development and residential growth for decades to come. The City of Redmond has been focused on reducing summer demands driven by irrigation given that average demand goes from 2.6 MG in winter to upwards of 14 MG in summer. To flatten the demand curve, the City of Redmond implemented a AquaHawk water system that allows customers to monitor their water use and to receive alerts if their water use is on track to exceed chosen thresholds. The City of Redmond followed that with a water conservation program water savings and cost-effectiveness analysis, which used a model to identify cost-effective water conservation measures and has subsequently guided expansion of the City’s water conservation program. In addition, the City of Redmond has been working with its largest irrigators to increase water use efficiency and has been taking actions to maintain low water loss.

SPEAKERS

Eric Klann
City Engineer and Public Works Director
City of Prineville, OR

As the City Engineer and Public Works Director for the City of Prineville, Eric has become known for his commitment to enhancing the Prineville community through the forward-thinking projects completed under his leadership, including the ASR project and the Crooked River Wetlands Complex. Eric is responsible for providing a reliable water supply to water customers, including large industries that moved into the City in recent years and are expanding operations. Eric manages all aspects of the water system, including assessing and implementing water supply strategies, overseeing the development of new infrastructure to meet demands, upgrading and replacing infrastructure to minimize water loss, and implementing water conservation measures. As part of his role as City Engineer, Eric leads a team of 15 people in the Public Works Department. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a P.E. in Civil Engineering, and he spent seven years as a sawmill Engineering/Maintenance Manager prior to his now 14-year tenure with the City of Prineville.

Josh Wedding
Water Utilities Manager,
City of Redmond, OR

As the Water Utilities Manager for the City of Redmond. Josh is tasked with ensuring that water infrastructure can handle the City’s rapid growth, which includes trying to meet demand to the extent possible with existing infrastructure. In recent years, he has focused on water conservation to reduce demands, particularly reducing peak summer demands of residential customers and water users with large irrigable spaces. Another major facet of Josh’s work is managing City infrastructure and operations to maintain low water loss. Josh joined the City of Redmond in 2006, and prior to that, spent 12 years in private industry working on wells, pumps, and booster pump stations.

ABOUT GSI WATER SOLUTIONS
We are a specialized groundwater, environmental, and water resources consulting firm. We help clients protect and manage shared water resources with solutions that are practical, forward-thinking, and built on a foundation of good science. We deliver practical, informed solutions for strategic water resource planning and environmental management. As hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, and water experts, we focus on helping our clients protect our shared natural resources. We look for cost-effective solutions that help you make sound, strategic decisions. We work in the public and private sectors, from city governments and water districts to farms and international companies.

COST
NEBC Members: $25
Non-Members: $45

*Municipalities & state agencies may register at the member rate.