Regional Water Reclamation Facility Upgrade

  • Project typeRegional Water Reclamation Facility Upgrade
  • Contractor nameSlayden Constructors, Inc.
  • Completion DateSeptember 01, 2030
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The City of Medford is in the process of a $302 million upgrade project to the Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The plant, located on Kirtland Road in White City, provides wastewater treatment services to Medford, Central Point, Eagle Point, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Talent, and the White City area.    

In August 2021, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a new permit that requires significant upgrades to the plant to stay in compliance with the federal Clean Water Act. The revised permit establishes significantly stricter limits on the phosphorus and nitrogen levels that can be discharged to the Rogue River.  The existing plant is unable to meet these new standards. 

Project Cost: Estimated total cost is $302 million. 

Funding and budget:  

  • $20 million in revenue bonds, issued in October 2024  
  • $147.245 million dollar low-interest loan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program
  • $50 million in revenue bonds to be issued in January 2026
  • $60 million in revenue bonds to be issued in 2029
  • $24.755 million will be contributed in cash
  • $19,415,000 million allocated for the 2023-2025 biennium budget in the Sewer Revenue Bond Construction Fund for design, engineering and permitting
  • $115,952,200 million proposed for the 2025-2027 biennium budget for final design, project management, and construction

Approved Sewer Rate Increases: 

  • July 2023 - $8.90 - $9.79 ($0.89 increase) 
  • July 2024 - $9.79 to $10.77 ($0.98 increase)  
  • September 2024: 10.77 to $11.45 ($0.68 increase) 
  • July 2025 - $11.45 to $13.40 ($1.95 increase) 

Key Deadlines: 

  • September 1, 2023 – Submit a new facility plan to DEQ (complete)  
  • September 1, 2024 – Submit a preliminary engineering design to DEQ (complete)  
  • September 1, 2026 – Submit a final plant upgrade design to DEQ (underway)  
  • September 1, 2028 – Complete new facilities construction to meet all permit conditions  
  • September 1, 2030 – Meet all new permit conditions 

Location

1100 Kirtland Rd., Central Point 97502  View Map

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