There’s energy in Bend’s water system that could power hundreds of homes — if the city seizes the opportunity.

It would not mean Bend would take more surface water than what is going through the system now.

It would cost millions. But economic analysis shows it will pencil out over time.

It would create more resiliency for the city’s water filtration system because power would be provided on site. It would make Bend more green.

Water is already flowing through the city’s pipes to produce the energy. There’s a drop in elevation of more than 1,000 feet as water sloshes through 30-inch pipes downhill from the intake at Bridge Creek to the city’s Outback water treatment plant. Right now that energy is lost, dissipated into the air. There’s also potential for the water line coming down from Awbrey Butte.

The city hired a consultant firm to analyze the potential. We wrote about the draft report here: tinyurl.com/Bendhydro.

And on Wednesday night Bend City Councilors got to hear a presentation based on that research. They told staff to continue to keep moving forward with analysis and planning.

It’s what Bend should do.