Repairs Nearing Completion After Power Failure at Medford Water Plant

Medford, Oregon– Medford Water says repairs are close to completion after a power failure at the Duff Water Treatment Plant disrupted operations Tuesday morning and triggered citywide emergency water restrictions.

The utility clarified that the outage was not connected to a planned shutdown with Pacific Power, as previously indicated.

“The power outage was not a result of a planned power outage with Pacific Power,” Medford Water said in a statement to Medford Alert News. “A failure occurred in a bundle of power conductors on the Duff Water Treatment Plant site that feed the raw water pumps at the Rogue River. Pacific Power assisted with de-energizing the treatment plant so that evaluation and repairs to the on-site electric infrastructure could commence safely. As of 1 p.m. those repairs are in process and nearing completion.”

The utility added that the cause of the conductor failure remains unknown.

“The cause of the conductor failures is not known at this time but will be investigated further.”

Officials stressed that community conservation remains crucial while the treatment plant is down.

“Restrictions are critical with the water treatment plant offline and we thank the community for responding actively, which has decreased demand substantially. Our secondary Big Butte Springs water source is sufficient to provide all winter-time water demand levels, and it remains fully functional during this time. Normal indoor domestic water usage is still permitted, though every reduction in use makes a difference. Medford Water projects that the restrictions will be in place until the plant is fully operational, able to meet system demand, and the system has recovered to normal levels.”

As of 2:00p, all Medford Water restrictions are still active for customers.

Medford Alert News will continue to monitor the outage and provide updates as they become available.

4:00P UPDATE: 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.

6:30P UPDATE: Medford Water released the following update.

This morning, Tuesday, August 26, 2025, a power failure occurred at the Robert A. Duff Water Treatment Plant at a point in the electrical system which prevented the use of either utility or our existing generator back-up power. Pacific Power assisted with de-energizing the treatment plant so that evaluation and repairs to the on-site electric infrastructure could commence safely, and crews have worked diligently to repair the electrical gear.

Our primary Big Butte Springs source has remained functional and remains safe to drink but does not alone supply enough water to meet summertime usage. During this event the plant could not supply the additional treated water necessary to meet peak summer demands, and mandatory water restrictions were put into place.

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.”