## Public Utilities
Medford's utility services are provided through a mix of city, regional, and private providers.
### Core utility services | Service | Main provider / note | |---|---| | Electricity | **Pacific Power** serves much of southern Oregon, including Medford. | | Natural gas | **Avista** is the principal gas utility in the area. | | Water | **City of Medford Water Division** / municipal water system. | | Wastewater | **City of Medford** sewer and wastewater services. | | Solid waste / recycling | Service is commonly handled through regional franchised haulers and city/regional arrangements; check city and county pages for current provider details. | | Stormwater | Managed by the city through public works and environmental compliance programs. | | Broadband / telecom | Multiple private providers operate in the market; availability varies by neighborhood. |
### Water supply - Medford's municipal water system serves city residents and businesses. - Southern Oregon communities often pay close attention to drought, wildfire smoke, and watershed conditions because of the region's dry summers. - Water quality reporting is typically available through annual consumer confidence reports.
### Electricity and energy - **Pacific Power** is the best-known electric utility in the city. - Power reliability can be affected by: - Winter storms - Summer wildfire conditions - Public safety power shutoff policies in high fire-risk periods
### Waste and recycling - Residents should consult **City of Medford** and **Jackson County** information for current collection schedules, recycling rules, and transfer station details. - Oregon's bottle deposit system also influences local recycling behavior.
### Common utility considerations for residents - Wildfire season preparedness - Water conservation during dry months - Checking curbside recycling rules carefully - Signing up for outage alerts from electricity and gas providers
### For new residents Typical setup steps include: 1. Open city water/sewer accounts if required by address and tenancy type. 2. Set up power with Pacific Power. 3. Set up gas service with Avista where available. 4. Confirm waste/recycling arrangements for the specific property. 5. Check broadband options by exact address.
