Capital Hill Reservoir Replacement Project
Medford Water will replace Capital Hill’s reservoirs by 2030. Initial investigation work began December 2022.
Project Description and Benefits
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We want to
hear from you! |
We’re in an early phase of design, with construction years away. Before we get further along, we want to learn how we can:
- Reduce construction impacts to you and your neighbors.
- Design the project not just to safeguard our water supply, but to make your neighborhood a better place.
Please call us at 541-774-2452 or email Rachel Lanigan here to start a conversation on these issues. You can also sign up for updates on this project below. |
The Capital Hill Reservoir Facility is the distribution hub for Medford’s water system. Its reservoirs store drinking water brought directly from our primary water source, Big Butte Springs, before it is pushed out into other areas. They are nearly 100 years old, and need to be replaced to help us continue to provide reliable, high-quality drinking water long into the future.
We’ll rebuild the reservoirs for earthquake resilience, but we’ll keep them at the same location. It’s at the best elevation to distribute water to the entire system, and it already has the network of pipes and other infrastructure.
Project Map
The facility is located off of Capital Avenue in east Medford, and bordered by adjacent homes on the west side of the property on Valley View Drive, on the north side on Ridge Way, and the east side of the property by Modoc Avenue, Brentwood Drive, and Girard Drive.
Below is an illustrated map of the area; to view and download a full-size version, click here.
Estimated Project Schedule
We’re in an early phase of research and design, with construction years away. To get started, test-drilling around the Capital Hill reservoir site took place in December 2022 to evaluate the sub-surface conditions.
Tentative Timeline
| 2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
Research
Phase
Nov. 2022-
Sep. 2023 |
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Design
Phase
Oct. 2023-
Oct. 2024 |
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Construction
Phase
Sep. 2024-2027 |
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| Public Outreach |
Related Projects
This project is part of the Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program, our multi-project effort to modernize and expand our water system for the next century, as well as protect it from emerging threats such as earthquakes, wildfires, and power outages. Learn more about the program here.
Project Updates/News
Sign up at the bottom of the page to receive email updates; be sure to check your spam folders as these messages can sometimes get filtered.
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Update |
| May 2023 |
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Medford Water is planning more test drilling (similar to drilling last December) and digging at the Capital Hill Reservoir Site on May 8 and 9th. Information collected from the drilling and digging helps our engineers know how to design the reservoir’s foundations and confirm where the pipes connect. The drilling will be inside the fencing of the property and will occur only during the hours of 7am to 5pm. Some digging may occur near Valley View Drive on Medford Water’s property. No other work is expected on the site for some time. Construction work for the reservoirs is not expected to begin until late 2024.
Stay tuned for information about an Open House in June! |
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| March 2023 |
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Consultant JLA Public Involvement is supporting our coordination efforts with the public; their team, along with our staff, has been busy speaking with residents around the reservoir site to learn how we can mitigate construction impacts and design the project to improve the area. The feedback gained will help to create plans for outreach and communication, such as hosting an Open House nearby, site signage with updated project information, and providing maps of the existing and future reservoirs. Meanwhile, our engineering team is reviewing reservoir layout concepts and soils onsite, and confirming system operations during the phased construction. |
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| January 2023 |
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To get started, test drilling around the Capital Hill reservoir site took place in December 2022 to evaluate the sub-surface conditions. We welcome feedback from neighborhood residents and want to learn ahead of time how we can mitigate construction impacts and design the project to improve the area. Please use the contact information below, and/or stay tuned for information on how to participate in a project Open House. |
Upcoming Events
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OPEN HOUSE - Medford Water invites you to attend an Open House to learn more about the Capital Hill Reservoir Replacement Project
June 6, 2023
5:00-7:00p.m.
Roxy Ann Grange, 1850 Spring Street, Medford, OR 97501 |
Project Documents & Materials
Contact
Rachel Lanigan, P.E.
Senior Engineer
Phone: 541-774-2452
Email
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Water for the Next Century. |
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