MEDFORD, Ore. (Feb. 13, 2026) — Water customers in Medford will see higher monthly bills beginning March 1 after Medford Water announced rate increases averaging 13.6% for most single-family residential customers.
The utility said the adjustments follow its latest annual third-party revenue study, which determined additional funding is needed to maintain and improve the city’s water system, some parts of which are more than a century old.
Water rates for a typical single-family residential customer in Medford with a ¾-inch meter and average monthly usage of 10,000 gallons will increase from $37.58 to $42.67 per month, according to the utility.
In a statement, Medford Water emphasized the essential role of water in daily life and long-term community planning.
“Water is critical to our wellbeing, and aside from the many ways each of us use water personally each day, we cannot survive very long without it,” the utility said. “In recognition of this importance, Medford Water has made it our mission to provide a reliable, high-quality water supply at the best value. This means planning ahead what projects are necessary to keep up with growth and to continue to provide water for the next hundred years.”
Officials cited rising costs tied to storing, treating and transporting water, as well as replacing aging infrastructure and building new resilient facilities to meet future demand. Inflationary pressures, including increases in electricity and treatment chemical costs, also contributed to the need for higher rates.
“There are significant expenses associated with storing, treating, and transporting water for people to use,” the statement said. “These costs are the basis for fees that all water providers charge, with the goal of ensuring that charges are allocated in a fair manner.”
The utility said annual third-party studies are conducted to determine revenue needs for infrastructure replacement and system improvements and expansion. “Our recent annual study has shown that rate modifications are required to meet revenue needs for this ongoing work,” the statement said.
Despite the increase, Medford Water said its rates remain comparatively low. “Even after modifications, our water rates are still low compared with similar communities in our area, statewide, and nationwide,” the utility said.
Officials also noted that the water system operates independently of local tax support. “We receive no support from local taxes and our revenues do not support other City of Medford work; revenue from water rates and other fees stay with us to be invested in the water system,” the statement said.
The utility framed the cost of tap water as a value proposition for customers. “Water remains difficult to substitute at any price, though at less than three cents per gallon, tap water is clearly a good deal compared with any other beverage bought in a bottle. We hope this highlights the great value of the high-quality water available to you with a turn of the tap.”
Full rate schedules for all customer groups taking effect March 1, 2026, as well as current rates, are available through Medford Water’s customer service resources.
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