Our Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program will use WIFIA loans to fund over $200 million in projects over the next ten years, including adding treatment infrastructure, expanding treatment and storage capacity, increasing transmission and storage capacity to customers, and more.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans totaling $97 million to Medford Water to support the Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program.
Through these loans, EPA is supporting the development of a regional groundwater system to provide reliable, high-quality drinking water to the 140,000 residents of the Rogue Valley. Watch our video announcement here, and see EPAs press release here.
About the Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program
Medford Water’s Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program will use the WIFIA loan to fund over $200 million in projects over the next ten years, including adding treatment infrastructure to adjust the pH for lead and copper reduction from household plumbing and service lines and to support meeting new regulations, to expand treatment and storage capacity at the Robert A. Duff Water Treatment Plant, increase transmission and storage capacity to customers, and to modernize the ozone components to mitigate taste, odor, and potential emerging contaminants.
The program also includes building a seismically resilient Water Campus to house administration and operational functions. Our mission is to safeguard public health by providing a reliable, high-quality water supply at the best value.
This financing represents a great value to our customers and allows us to create a water system that is more resilient to earthquakes, drought, and climate change, and serves our region into our second hundred years.
Program Benefits
- Increased system storage
- Improved treatment capacity
- Improved system resiliency
- Improved water quality
- Creates 600+ jobs
- Saves ratepayers $12 million in financing costs
What is WIFIA?
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program administered by EPA. WIFIA’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. For more information on the WIFIA program, click here.
What People Are Saying About the Program
“Water infrastructure provides an essential and irreplaceable part of our daily lives,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “Thanks to this WIFIA finance loan, Medford will advance the benefits of the Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program. As a result, Medford’s water will be safer and more resilient to climate change.”
View a video of Fox’s full statement below.
“Access to reliable clean water and a resilient water infrastructure system is crucial to the health and strength of every family,” said Senator Jeff Merkley, who authored the WIFIA law. “I am pleased that the Medford Water Commission’s Rogue Valley Water Supply is receiving two WIFIA loans to carry out vital projects ensuring the water in their community is safe and the infrastructure is resilient to natural disasters, without burdening the ratepayers. I will continue to work to ensure that Oregonians have access to clean and reliable drinking water and support programs like this.”
View a video of Merkley’s full statement below.
“I am proud of the strategic financial planning that our organization has undertaken to secure this competitive funding,” said Board of Water Commissioners Chair Bob Strosser. “The terms of this WIFIA program provide us with a unique opportunity to advance resiliency and capacity adding projects that will allow us to continue to serve future generations of the Rogue Valley.”
“Investing in our water infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the Rogue Valley is crucial,” said Randy Sparacino, Mayor of the City of Medford. “These funds will help Medford Water complete a number of projects that will ensure continued access to high-quality water at affordable rates for our residents.”
“Infrastructure challenges are at an all-time high as we enter our second 100 years of service to our community,” adds Medford Water General Manager Brad Taylor. “The WIFIA loan for our Rogue Valley Water Supply Program helps us manage these costs while still keeping our rates affordable.”
“I commend Medford Water for their efforts to obtain this low-cost financing from the Environmental Protection Agency. This loan will support investment in vital water infrastructure essential to our residents and local businesses. The Rogue Valley Water Supply Resiliency Program is a dynamic way to meet the growing needs of our communities and the challenges we face; we look forward to continuing our partnership with Medford Water to support the delivery of safe drinking water long into the future.”
– Central Point City Manager
Chris Clayton
These projects must be undertaken by the year 2030.
None at this time.
