DYK: You Play a Part in Protecting Your Groundwater?
- March 12, 2026 | Category: Water Resources, Your Water
It’s Groundwater Awareness Week—March 8th through 14th, 2026—an annual observance highlighting the responsible development, management, and use of groundwater.
Our primary water source, Big Butte Springs, is a groundwater source. Serving the City of Medford and surrounding communities (approximately 150,000 residents of the Rogue Valley), the Springs are one of our community’s most valuable and significant resources.
We’ve made it our mission to safeguard public health by providing a reliable, high-quality water supply at the best value, and protecting our water sources is an important first step to accomplishing this.
Did you know that you play a part in protecting your groundwater too?
- Go native. Use native plants in your landscape. They look great, and don’t need much water or fertilizer. Also choose grass varieties for your lawn that are adapted for our region’s climate, reducing the need for extensive watering or chemical applications. Go to medfordsaveswater.org for examples and other help.
- Reduce chemical use. Use fewer chemicals around your home and yard, and make sure to dispose of them properly at sanctioned events—don’t dump them on the ground or in storm drains!
- Manage waste. Properly dispose of potentially toxic substances like unused chemicals, pharmaceuticals, paint, motor oil, and other substances. Many communities hold household hazardous waste collection events—contact the Jackson County Public Health Department or Rogue Disposal to find one near you (we also post them on our website when they are announced).
- Don’t let it run. Shut off the water when you brush your teeth or while shaving, and don’t let it run while waiting for it to get cold. Keep a pitcher of cold water in the fridge instead.
- Fix the drip. Check all the faucets, fixtures, toilets, and taps in your home for leaks and fix them right away, or install water conserving models with the WaterSense label.
- Wash smarter. Limit yourself to just a five-minute shower, and challenge your family members to do the same! Also, make sure to only run full loads in the dish and clothes washers.
- Water wisely. Water your lawn and plants in the early morning or evening (during the coolest parts of the day and not the afternoon when winds pick up) and only when they truly need it. Make sure to follow any watering restrictions during emergency events.
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle. The manufacturing of goods requires large amounts of water. Reduce the amount of “stuff” you purchase and reuse what you can; recycle paper, plastic, cardboard, glass, aluminum and other materials.
- Natural alternatives. Use all natural/nontoxic household cleaners whenever possible. Materials such as lemon juice, baking soda, and vinegar make great cleaning products, are inexpensive, and environmentally-friendly.
- Learn more! Find out more about Big Butte Springs or our Source Water Protection Plan, more about Groundwater Awareness Week at ngwa.org, and more ways to be water efficient at our Water Efficiency Page. You can also explore the topics below.