This long term, multi-faceted project expanded the treatment capacity of the Robert A. Duff Water Treatment Plant from 45 to 65 mgd, as well as complete conveyance improvements necessary to deliver the 65 mgd into our system. It wrapped up in September 2025.
This project wrapped up in September 2025. See photos from construction and the ribbon cutting ceremony on the Project Documents & Media tab.
Project Description and Benefits
Medford Water’s mission is to provide a reliable, high quality water supply at the best value, and to help accomplish this, work is nearing completion on significant upgrades to the Robert A. Duff Water Treatment Plant. This long-term, multi-faceted project has expanded the plant’s drinking water treatment capacity from 45 to 65 Million Gallons a Day (MGD). It has provided the community with a resilient source of supply, providing potable water to the community after a significant event or natural disaster with minimal interruption.
The plant was originally constructed on the Rogue River in 1968 with a treatment capacity of 15 MGD to supplement the Big Butte Springs water supply. It has been subsequently upgraded over the years to 45 MGD, before this project that will bring it to a 65 MGD resilient capacity.
Work included completion of four new deep bed high-rate filters, a 3-million-gallon reservoir, a new pump station, and complete conveyance improvements necessary to deliver the 65 MGD into our system. This is a $78 million dollar investment in the Rogue Valley’s future, as part of our commitment to being the Rogue Valley’s trusted water provider for present and future generations.
Key project details:
- Filter design started in 2020
- Construction began in October of 2022
- Filter substantial completion in September 2024
- Contracted value to construct filters: $35 million
- Reservoir design began 2022
- Construction began in July 2023
- Reservoir/pump station substantial completion in September 2025
- Contracted value to construct reservoir/pump station: $33 million
This milestone project represents a significant investment in the region’s water infrastructure, ensuring reliable, high-quality drinking water for current and future generations. The expansion is a key part of Medford Water’s long-term planning to meet the growing needs of the Rogue Valley while maintaining resiliency in the face of changing conditions.
| Fun facts from installation: | |||
| 19,000 cubic yards of soils excavated | 8,000 cubic yards of concrete placed | 1,970,000 lbs. of rebar installed (the equivalent of 250 miles of rebar) | 79,000 feet (over 15 miles) of electrical conduit of various sizes installed |
overall project cost
Approximately $78 million; the general construction contractor is Slayden Constructors Inc.
This is a multi-faceted project made up of many smaller projects; filter design began in 2020 and the entire expansion wrapped up in September 2025.
Ribbon cutting photo gallery:
Ribbon cutting video celebrating project completion:
Construction photo gallery:
View this video of the ongoing project presented by contractor Slayden Constructors Inc.
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to mark the completion of this critical infrastructure investment. The ceremony brought together Medford Water staff, members of the Board of Water Commissioners and Medford City Council, officials of our Partner Cities and agencies, as well as members of the project construction, engineering, and design teams. |
| September 2025 | Construction of the reservoir and pump station are completed. |
| September 2024 | Construction of the four new deep bed high-rate filters is completed. |
| July 2023 | Construction of the new reservoir begins. The contracted value to construct the reservoir and associated pump station is $33 million |
| 2022 | Construction of the new filters begins; the contracted value to construct the filters is $35 million. Design of a new 3-million-gallon reservoir begins. |
| 2020 | Design of four new deep bed high-rate filters begins. |
