Medford Water Plant Outage Triggers Emergency Use Limits

Medford, Oregon- The Medford Water Commission on Tuesday ordered mandatory emergency water use restrictions after a power outage shut down the Robert A. Duff Water Treatment Plant.

The outage occurred early Tuesday morning, and staff are working with Pacific Power to restore equipment and bring the plant back online. Until the system is fully functional, the plant cannot supply enough treated water to meet current demand.

To preserve water for household use and fire emergencies, the commission directed customers in Medford, Central Point, Eagle Point, Phoenix, Talent, Jacksonville and White City to immediately stop all non-essential water use.

The prohibited activities include lawn and turf irrigation, irrigation of gardens and ornamental plants, operation of ornamental fountains using drinking water, car washing except at facilities that recycle water, non-emergency hydrant use and water main flushing, dust control at construction sites using water, washing sidewalks, streets, decks, driveways and buildings except when necessary for public health or safety, and filling or adding water to landscape ponds or swimming pools.

The restrictions are mandatory, with potential fines or surcharges for noncompliance. They will remain in effect until the plant is fully operational and able to meet system demand.

The commission also advised residents to prepare for possible water service interruptions. Customers are encouraged to complete water-using activities before outages, store pitchers of water in the refrigerator, and keep buckets nearby to flush toilets.

After service resumes, running cold-water taps for several minutes can help clear dislodged particles or air in the lines.

More information is available at medfordwater.org or by calling Medford Water’s customer service line at (541) 774-2430.

Medford Alert News has reached out to both Medford Water and Pacific Power representatives for comment. Will continue to monitor this incident and provide updates as they become available.

1:30P UPDATE: A source informed Medford Alert News that the power outage at Medford Water was a planned event coordinated with Pacific Power while Medford Water conducted system repair work. An issue at the Medford Water Robert A. Duff Water Treatment Plant caused the service interruption, not a Pacific Power outage.

A Pacific Power representative told Medford Alert News, “They [Medford Water] requested we turn off the power so they could make repairs to their facility.”

2:00P Medford Water has released further information to Medford Alert News, the full update can be found here.

4:00P Medford Water Restrictions to Remain in Effect Until Wednesday

Emergency water restrictions enacted earlier Tuesday will remain in place until noon Wednesday, officials announced.

The restrictions, which were issued to preserve water for domestic and emergency use, will continue through 12 p.m. Aug. 27 to allow reservoir levels to return to normal, according to the Medford Water Commission.

11:30A Emergency Water Restrictions Extended in Rogue Valley Communities

The order applies not only to Medford customers, but also to properties in Central Point, Eagle Point, Phoenix, Talent, Jacksonville and White City

Emergency Water Restrictions Extended in Rogue Valley Communities

5:10P Emergency water restrictions in Medford have been lifted effective immediately, officials announced Wednesday.

The restrictions, which were put in place Tuesday to preserve drinking water for essential and emergency use, had prohibited all non-essential outdoor water activities.

With the emergency resolved, both indoor and outdoor water use is now permitted without limitation.

“We thank our customers for their patience and for adhering to the restrictions,” Medford Water officials said in a statement. “It made a real difference in our ability to manage this emergency. The cooperation of our community in times like these is a valuable key to protecting the drinking water supply for essential indoor and emergency use.”