The City of Bend matches 50% of your project costs — up to $10,000 — for qualifying landscape conversions and irrigation upgrades. Newport Avenue Landscaping is your experienced local contractor.
Managing a homeowner association or commercial property in Bend means managing water costs — and those costs are rising. Outdoor irrigation accounts for the majority of water use on most HOA and commercial properties, and outdated systems or water-thirsty turf can mean thousands of dollars in unnecessary utility bills every year.
The City of Bend's WaterWise Communities program was designed specifically for this situation. It provides a 50% match of your project costs — up to $10,000 — for qualifying landscape conversions and irrigation system upgrades. Combined with the long-term reduction in water bills, the WaterWise Communities program makes water-efficient landscaping one of the best financial decisions an HOA board can make.
Newport Avenue Landscaping has helped Bend-area HOAs and commercial properties design, install, and document water-wise landscape projects. We understand the City's evaluation process and can help you maximize both the water savings and the rebate amount your project qualifies for.
Rebate Amount
50% match of project costs, up to $10,000
Who Qualifies
HOAs, community associations, commercial properties
Eligibility Requirement
Must be a City of Bend water customer
Project Deadline
All projects must be completed by October 31
Rebate Payment
Within 60 days of final approval
Maintenance Requirement
5 years of compliance required after rebate
The program is administered by the City of Bend Water Services Department. For questions, contact the Water Conservation team at conservation@bendoregon.gov or call 541-317-3000 ext. 2.
The WaterWise Communities program funds three main categories of improvement:
Replacing water-intensive Kentucky bluegrass or fescue turf with drought-tolerant, low-water plantings. This is typically the highest-impact project for water savings — turf uses far more water per square foot than any other landscape element. Conversions can include xeriscape designs, native plant installations, decorative gravel and rock landscapes, or mixed perennial and shrub plantings.
Upgrading outdated irrigation equipment to modern, water-efficient systems. This includes replacing spray heads with rotary nozzles (which apply water more slowly and reduce runoff), converting overhead irrigation to drip systems in planting beds, installing smart weather-based controllers, adding pressure regulators, and upgrading to high-efficiency rotors.
Other improvements identified during the City's evaluation that reduce water consumption. This can include centralized water management systems, soil moisture sensors, flow meters, and other technology that improves irrigation efficiency across a large property.
Newport Avenue Landscaping handles the entire process — project planning, City evaluation attendance, installation, and rebate documentation. Serving Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver, and all of Deschutes County.
The City of Bend has structured the program to ensure projects are well-planned and properly executed. Here is the complete process from application to rebate check:
1. Determine Eligibility
Confirm your property is served by City of Bend Water Services. Review the program terms and conditions on the City of Bend website.
2. Plan Your Project
Define your water-saving goals. Newport Avenue can help you identify the highest-impact improvements and create a landscape plan with dimensions, proposed changes, and plant species.
3. Submit Application
Complete the WaterWise Communities Program Application and submit to conservation@bendoregon.gov or mail to 21051 NE Talus Place, Bend OR 97701.
4. System Evaluation
City staff will assess your site conditions, identify water-saving opportunities, and work with you to define the specific project scope.
5. Sign Service Agreement
The service agreement serves as your approval to proceed. Do not begin construction before receiving this approval.
6. Pre-Construction Meeting
Schedule a meeting with your contractor (Newport Avenue) and City staff. This can be combined with the system evaluation.
7. Complete the Project
Complete all work within 90 days of receiving approval to proceed. All projects must be finished by October 31.
8. Follow-Up Evaluation
City staff will verify all conditions are met, including diagnostic testing of the irrigation system and review of water consumption data.
9. Submit Documentation
Provide receipts, invoices, and a W-9 (required for rebates over $600) to the City of Bend.
10. Receive Rebate
Rebate check is issued within 60 days of final approval and receipt of all documentation.
Newport Avenue Landscaping has been serving Bend-area HOAs and commercial properties for over 21 years. We understand that HOA boards need a contractor who is reliable, communicates clearly, and delivers projects on time and within budget. Our WaterWise Communities services include:
Xeriscape & Water-Wise Landscaping →
Full xeriscape design and installation for HOA common areas.
Irrigation Systems →
Smart controllers, drip conversion, and system efficiency upgrades.
Commercial Landscaping →
Full-service commercial landscape maintenance and installation.
Landscape Design →
Custom design plans for HOA common areas and commercial properties.
The WaterWise Communities program is a City of Bend rebate program for homeowner associations, community associations, and commercial properties. The City provides a 50% match of project costs — up to $10,000 — for landscape conversions, irrigation system upgrades, and other water-saving improvements. Each project includes a landscape evaluation, irrigation evaluation, and support from City staff throughout the process.
Eligibility requires that you are a current City of Bend Water Services customer. The program is designed for commercial-scale customers including HOAs, community associations, parks, schools, and commercial properties. Individual residential customers should look at the Turf Replacement Rebate program instead, which offers $3 per square foot up to $3,000.
The City of Bend will match 50% of your project costs, up to a maximum of $10,000. For example, if your HOA spends $15,000 on a qualifying landscape conversion and irrigation upgrade, the City would rebate $7,500. If you spend $20,000 or more, you receive the maximum $10,000 rebate. Projects must be completed by October 31 and all documentation submitted to receive the rebate check within 60 days of final approval.
Qualifying project types include landscape conversions (replacing water-intensive turf with drought-tolerant, low-water plantings), system efficiency upgrades (replacing outdated irrigation heads, adding smart controllers, converting to drip irrigation), and other water-saving improvements identified during the City's evaluation. Newport Avenue Landscaping can help you identify the highest-impact improvements for your property during a free consultation.
Newport Avenue serves as your landscape contractor throughout the entire WaterWise Communities process. We help you plan your project scope, attend the pre-construction meeting with City staff, complete all work within the required 90-day window, and provide all documentation needed for your rebate application. We have experience with the City of Bend's evaluation process and can design projects that maximize both water savings and rebate eligibility.
Completed projects must be maintained and comply with all program terms and conditions for five years following receipt of the rebate. This means the new landscape must be kept healthy and the irrigation system must remain operational and efficient. Newport Avenue offers ongoing maintenance programs that can keep your HOA landscape in compliance throughout the five-year requirement period.
Submit a completed WaterWise Communities Program Application to the City of Bend Water Services Department. You can email it to conservation@bendoregon.gov, mail it to 21051 NE Talus Place, Bend OR 97701, or deliver it in person Monday–Friday 9am–4pm. After submission, City staff will contact you to schedule a system evaluation and pre-construction meeting. Newport Avenue can attend this meeting with you as your contractor.
LCB #9153 · Serving Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver & all of Deschutes County · (541) 617-8873
Pricing Disclaimer: All prices shown are typical market ranges for general planning purposes only and do not constitute a binding quote or guarantee of cost. Actual costs depend on site conditions, property size, scope of work, and materials. Advertised flat rates are firm as stated. All other estimates require a free on-site assessment. Contact us for a written estimate.