This project will combine geographically separate, undersized, and outdated facilities into one facility to increase efficiencies, meet modern resiliency requirements, and meet requirements of critical facilities for utilities. This will ensure the least amount of disruption from not only a natural disaster but will also improve our ability to be responsive during normal and emergency situations.
Project Description and Benefits
Medford Water has outgrown much of its existing facilities; this project will build a new facility at 4677 Industry Drive to combine department functions that are currently housed separately into one facility to unify culture and increase efficiencies, accommodating our organization for the next 50 years.
Additionally, our existing facilities are not constructed to modern resiliency requirements; the new facility will be constructed to meet resiliency requirements and requirements of critical facilities that house essential utilities, such as the ability to operate independently from the electric supply grid. This will ensure the least amount of disruption from not only a natural disaster but will also ensure our ability to be responsive during normal and emergency situations for the communities we serve.
The project incorporates portions of an ongoing capital improvement project to update technology and cyber security of the SCADA systems that provide monitoring and control of the many operational facilities (including pump stations, control stations and reservoirs) throughout the water system.
The new facility will also improve our ability to provide water services and related educational, public engagement, and public participation opportunities.
Overall Project Cost and Contractor
Approximately $30 million; this project is part of a $97 million Water Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (WIFIA) low interest loan Medford Water applied for and received in 2022 from the Environmental Protection Agency. This loan will help fund over $200 million in projects across our system, saving ratepayers millions of dollars in financing costs.
The general construction contractor is S&B James.
This project is anticipated to be completed near the end of 2026.
None at this time, but stay tuned for FAQs or other information.
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Construction is ongoing, with building foundations being poured. |
| 2025 | Project breaks ground. |
| 2024 | Detailed Design is completed and work is beginning on final construction documents to be used for bidding the project Summer 2024. |
| 2022 | Medford Water applies for and receives a $97 million Water Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (WIFIA) low interest loan from the Environmental Protection Agency to help fund over $200 million in projects like this across our system. |
| 2019 | Work on the project began in 2019 with a space needs assessment followed by a conceptual planning report. |
