The Rogue River provides drinking water for over 200,000 people, recreation for thousands, and habitat for fish and wildlife. The Cities of Grants Pass, Rogue River, and Gold Hill, the Medford Water Commission (MWC), Country View Estates, and Anglers Cove/Shady Cove-Highland Water Company all pull raw water directly from the mainstem Rogue River. Other communities in the basin (Ashland, Central Point, Eagle Point, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Talent and White City) either purchase finished water from the MWC or pull source water from tributaries to the Rogue River. The Rogue Drinking Water Partnership (RDWP) is an informal coalition of municipal and private drinking water providers and other partners seeking to protect and enhance source water quality. A high priority of all RDWP drinking water providers is the need to prevent spills of hazardous substances and increase preparedness and response capability in the event of a spill.
Learn about Source Water Protection with RRWC's John Speece.
The guiding principle of source water protection is maintaining a balance between watershed health and human use over time by implementing actions that ensure production of exceptionally high quality water. This requires not only analysis of the range and potential impact of human activities within the watershed, but also understanding the limits of the river's assimilation capacity (the ability to absorb pollutants) while maintaining high quality drinking water.
Where does your water come from? [courtesy of MWC]
Source water protection plans prioritize spill prevention of hazardous substances in the watershed and increase preparedness and response capabilities of each drinking water provider in the event of a disaster. More specifically, a Geographic Response Plan (GRP) focuses on sensitive resource protection after a hazardous material or a natural disaster occurs. It serves as the local response during the initial phase of a hazardous material spill response in the source water area. By using a plan, immediate and proper actions can be taken to reduce the impact of spilled hazardous materials on sensitive resources within the planning area. After a spill occurs, control and containment at or near the spill source are top priorities.
RDWP members at Spill Response Training Exercise
The MWC Geographic Spill Response Plan is being completed by the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, the Rogue River Watershed Council, and the MWC, and is designed to protect sensitive resources in and along the Rogue River from spills originating in transportation corridors, tributaries, and drainage systems, including runoff from the industrial area of White City. It supports drinking water providers in the Upper Rogue Watershed by providing methods to control spills for 24 to 48 hours until regional or outside support arrives.
A Spill Response Training Exercise was held in early November. This training was provided by TEEX, a group from Texas A&M Engineering Department, and brought together local first responders, emergency service providers, partner organizations, and local law enforcement. The purpose of the training was to become certified to deploy response strategies in the Rogue River in the event of a spill that threatened drinking water provider facilities.
RDWP members at Spill Response Training
“Protecting our source water from spills is a top priority for Medford Water, as it directly impacts the drinking water quality for over 150,000 residents. A Geographic Response Plan (GRP) is critical for effectively responding to a spill event such as diesel truck spill. The GRP provides clear guidance on communication networks, team roles, equipment needs, and strategic locations for deploying protective measures such as floating booms to contain and deflect spills. Training and drills are equally vital, ensuring response teams are prepared to act swiftly and effectively to safeguard Medford Water’s intake and protect drinking water for the communities of Medford, Central Point, Eagle Point, Talent, Phoenix, and Jacksonville.” - Arlo Todd, MWC Watershed Coordinator.”
Check out our partnership page for more information about RDWP!
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