FAQ Category: Water Quality

For information about water quality, call 541-774-2430. Questions also can be emailed to us or mailed to Medford Water, 200 S. Ivy St. – RM 177, Medford, OR 97501. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline can be reached at 800-426-4791.

Ozone (O3) occurs in nature and can also be formed from oxygen, or oxygen compounds, in a variety of ways. Ozone is a powerful oxidant widely used in water treatment to kill bacteria and other organisms, and reduce taste, odors, and color. The inherent features of ozone are its high oxidation potential and disinfection capabilities. This,…

Increasingly over the last several years, people have been bombarded with alarming sales pitches touting the benefits of bottled water and home treatment devices, causing people to question the quality of their tap water. There are no apparent health advantages for the general public in purchasing a home treatment system (most only affect the aesthetic…

In addition to using less chlorine than the allowable limit to effectively disinfect our drinking water, our Source Water Protection Program works with land use managers and partners throughout the region and state, advocating the use of best management practices to reduce organic matter in our source water.

Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are formed when a water treatment disinfectant, such as chlorine, interacts with natural organic materials in water. We monitor for DBPs four times a year, and publish the results in our Consumer Confidence Report, which focuses on providing details about compliance with regulations. It is also published in our Annual Water Quality Analyses,…

Disinfection by-products (DBPs) are formed when a water treatment disinfectant, such as chlorine, interacts with natural organic materials in water. Exposure to DBPs occurs by drinking chlorinated water and by breathing in air containing DBPs during activities such as showering, bathing, dishwashing, and swimming.

Drinking water must be disinfected to treat disease-causing microbial pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites). Chlorine, in the form of sodium hypochlorite, is used as a disinfectant in our treatment process; we are required by drinking water standards to maintain a residual amount in the water to provide continuous protection from microbial contamination as it…

While the risk of Naegleria fowleri is low given our cold source waters, we understand that it may concern some customers. Medford Water’s first concern is the health and safety of our customers, and we have protective measures in place to prevent Naegleria fowleri and other potential contaminants from surviving in finished water, through disinfection and regularly flushing out…

Yes. While we of course always want to avoid wasting water, our highest priority is assuring high water quality for our customers, which sometimes necessitates the flushing of pipes and hydrants. Learn more about hydrant flushing on our Hydrant Flushing page.

No, Medford Water does not add fluoride to the water.