MEDFORD, Ore. (Dec. 20, 2025)— The City of Medford has been approved for a $147 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, providing long-term financing for major improvements to the city’s wastewater infrastructure.
The approval was announced Tuesday by the EPA as part of a broader action authorizing three WIFIA loans totaling $240 million for communities in Oregon and Washington. The funding will support required upgrades to Medford’s wastewater treatment plant to ensure compliance with federal environmental standards.
“This WIFIA loan approval is an important milestone for Medford,” said Interim City Manager John Vial. “It provides long-term, low-cost financing that allows us to move forward with critical infrastructure improvements while managing costs for our ratepayers. We appreciate the support of Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley, and Congressman Bentz throughout this process and their continued partnership in securing resources for our community.”
According to the EPA, the Medford loan will benefit approximately 166,000 people, improve the reliability of wastewater infrastructure, and help protect water quality in the nationally significant Rogue River. The project is also expected to support the creation of more than 900 local jobs during construction.
WIFIA loans offer flexible repayment terms and competitive interest rates, allowing communities to finance large-scale infrastructure projects more efficiently. For Medford, the loan will support planned upgrades to aging wastewater systems while allowing for a more gradual approach to future rate adjustments.
“Access to WIFIA financing strengthens our ability to plan responsibly for the future,” said Medford Public Works Director Dan Worth. “This approval helps ensure our wastewater systems remain safe, reliable, and resilient for decades to come.”
Oregon’s federal delegation praised the approval, emphasizing the importance of continued investment in wastewater infrastructure.
“I created the WIFIA program to invest in water infrastructure projects and job creation after hearing from local Oregon leaders that water infrastructure is one of the top issues facing their communities,” said U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley. “This WIFIA loan through the EPA will help Medford improve its wastewater infrastructure. WIFIA continues to be a great model for delivering results through local and federal collaboration.”
“Without access to reliable water infrastructure, communities are not able to fully thrive,” said U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden. “I applaud the City of Medford for receiving this loan and investing in critical wastewater infrastructure while keeping costs low for Oregonians. I will continue to fight for more resources for essential wastewater infrastructure for communities across Oregon.”
“This $147 million WIFIA loan is a major win for the City of Medford and its residents,” said U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz. “This loan will allow the City to upgrade critical wastewater infrastructure while using long-term, low-cost financing to help keep ratepayer costs under control.”
Established by Congress in 2014, the WIFIA program is administered by the EPA to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure. The program provides long-term, low-cost loans for regionally and nationally significant water and wastewater projects. Since its inception, the EPA has announced more than $22 billion in WIFIA financing, supporting more than 140 projects nationwide.
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