FAQ Category: Water Quality

  • Is there a potential for contamination from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) following fire activity?

    When returning to your home or business after a fire, there are items to consider to help safeguard your water quality. During periods of long stagnation (such as a home being unoccupied for several days), water can pick up off-tastes, odors, or colors from sitting in the pipes inside your house, especially in older plumbing…

  • Have algal toxins been detected in our drinking water?

    No, algal toxins have never been detected at our intake or in our finished drinking water since the statewide testing program began in 2018.

  • Does Medford Water use chloramines?

    No, only sodium hypochlorite is used for disinfection; ammonia is not added.

  • Does our water contain lead?

    Our two water supplies—Big Butte Springs and the Rogue River—contain virtually no lead or copper. However, lead and copper can be released into the water from materials in private home plumbing and in the water system. In addition to the frequent water sampling we do at our source points and throughout our system, supplemental testing…

  • Does our water contain PFAS?

    Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have not been detected in Medford’s drinking water. Find more information on PFAS on our PFAS page.

  • Are there any precautions the public should take?

    People with weakened immune systems need to pay special attention to everything they consume. These immuno-compromised groups include people undergoing chemotherapy, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, those who have undergone organ transplants, and some infants and elderly persons. These people should seek advice from their primary healthcare provider about any potential risks.

  • What can I do to improve my water quality?

    Always use the cold water tap for drinking or cooking, since hot water is more likely to release metals from your pipe materials. During periods of long stagnation, water can pick up off-tastes from sitting in the plumbing inside of your house, especially in older plumbing systems. To help combat this, you can run your…

  • Is our water considered hard or soft, and what is the pH?

    Big Butte Springs and Rogue River water are very similar in chemical characteristics; both are classified as moderately soft, typically ranging between 25 and 40 ppm. Hardness is also sometimes given in grains per gallon, with our water generally having between 1.4 and 2.4 grains per gallon. The pH of water entering our drinking water…

  • How is tap water treated?

    Big Butte Springs water is treated only with disinfection; water from the Rogue River is first treated with disinfection and ozonation to kill any potentially harmful bacteria and microscopic organisms. It then moves through a direct filtration process to remove any particles. For more information on the treatment process, go to our Treatment Process page.

  • If the water meets federal and state standards, why is there so much media coverage about contaminants?

    All drinking water—even bottled water—contains some level of contaminants. However, these naturally occurring and artificial materials do not necessarily present a health risk. While news reports about water quality are generally accurate, they do not always convey their risk level. For instance, a contaminant may be harmful only if a person consumes hundreds of gallons…