Purchase of a new chlorination plant for treatment of city sewage until construction of the contemplated new sewage disposal plant was authorized yesterday morning by the city council of Medford at a special meeting. The chlorination plant will cost about $1,900 and will take the place of the small plant which had been borrowed from the water department of the city.
    The purchase was made on the insistence of the city health department. The new plant, which is to be selected by the health committee headed by W. W. Allen, chairman, will use about 240 pounds of chlorine a day at capacity, whereas the capacity of the present small plant is about 75 pounds a day, an amount deemed insufficient to care for the sewage problem in warm weather.
    The cost of the chlorine is about 10 cents a pound, which would mean $24 a day if the plant must be operated at capacity. It is believed the cost will approximate $500 a month, however, during the summer season.
    Dr. L. D. Inskeep declared that the system of handling the sewage problem would be adequate until construction of the new plant.
    A bond issue will probably be brought to vote soon on construction of the $215,000 disposal plant, held to be a pressing need of this city. At present Bear Creek, into which the sewage flows, is virtually dry, and a drastic sanitary condition is arising, with the threat of lawsuits hanging over the city. The present purchase is temporary, necessitated by the delay in construction of the large plant.
Medford Daily News, May 23, 1931, page 1

    Reasons why it is necessary for the City of Medford to build a new trunk sewer line from the Cottage Street bridge to the disposal plant were outlined today by the city council health committee, as follows:
    Before Bear Creek can be cleaned up and beautified through the city, it is necessary to eliminate the outfall from four septic tanks now dumping sewage direct into Bear Creek. One of these tanks is located just above the Cottage Street bridge on the west bank of the creek and is serving the South Sea Addition. Two tanks now serve the Merrick campground, and the old tank built in 1909 located in the rear of the Gaddis and Dixon property was built for the purpose of serving the business district. All of the above septic tanks are too low to discharge the effluent into the Riverside trunk sewer.
    The present trunk sewer from the intersection of East Jackson and Riverside Avenue running north along Riverside Avenue to the septic tank is running to capacity with sanitary sewage only. No additional capacity is available for storm water. The runoff from the streets of an area of 1570 acres must pass down this line; it being unable to carry the storm water during the rainy season, the raw sewage flows down the gutters.
    This line was constructed in 1910 for the use of sanitary sewage to serve a population of 10,000 people. Our present population is 11,200 people. This line is 21 years old.
    The present sewage from the East Side is diverted into the Riverside trunk sewer at the intersection of Jackson and Riverside Avenue. This line is suspended on cables to the Jackson Street bridge. It is necessary to cut the raw sewage direct into Bear Creek under the bridge during storms. The iron pipe is constantly washing out during winter months as debris flowing down Bear Creek collects against the line and washes it out.
    A new trunk sewer is not for the use of the East Side only, as there are a total of 3840 business houses and residences within the city. There are 1446 business houses and 1657 residences on the west side of Bear Creek, or a total of 3103.   
    On the East Side there are 10 business houses and 727 residences, or a total of 737. There are also 2523 vacant lots within the city, of which 1747 are on the west side of Bear Creek and 776 on the east side.
    The question has been asked "Why not separate the sanitary sewer systems in Medford from the storm sewer?" This is not at all impossible, but to provide the new storm sewers to carry the storm water from 1562 acres would cost the city about $500,000. It is therefore unwise at the present time to make a separation.
    However, provision is made in the new trunk sewer to serve a population of 25,000 people. The additional capacity which will be available in this line can be used for storm water until such time as the city reaches the population of 25,000.
    The city is liable for damages due to the known lack of repair of sewers or its failure to maintain them to a standard of efficiency. The city is liable for any damage which may result from the inadequate capacity of a sewer (N.W. Rep. 699, Wisconsin Supreme Court).
    Washington Supreme Court case Boyer vs. City of Tacoma. City held liable for overflow of insufficient sewer--In this case, it appeared that the sewer was originally sufficient for the territory it served, but it became inadequate through growth of the territory. The overflow occurred in a period of heavy but not extraordinary rainfall.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 2, 1931, page 8

    For tomorrow afternoon's special election on the sewer bond question the polls will be open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and all regularly registered citizens are entitled to vote. The voting places are as follows:
    First Ward: Public market building on South Riverside Avenue.
    Second Ward: Public library on West Main Street.
    Third Ward: Fichtner's Garage corner Fir and Sixth streets.
    Fourth Ward: Upstairs city hall, corner Front and Sixth streets.
    The populace of Medford is better informed today on the merits of the bond issues to be voted on tomorrow afternoon for a new sewage disposal system and trunk sewer because of the mass meeting held in the city park last night, attended by hundreds of citizens to hear the talks of city officials and State Sanitary Engineer Carl E. Green on the present deplorable sewage situation and why the voters should vote for the bond issue.
    The talks were interspersed with selections by the Elks band, and the remarks and music were broadcast over KMED, thus carrying into the homes of many more citizens the sewage situation and bond issue information. Many neighborhood radio parties were held to listen in.
    The speakers in the order named were as follows: Mayor E. M. Wilson; W. W. Allen, chairman of the city council health committee; C. A. Meeker, chairman of the council finance committee; City Engineer Fred Scheffel; Dr. L. D. Inskeep, city health officer, and Carl E. Green, state sanitary officer.
    Each speaker covered briefly one phase of the situation, and probably the most informative address was that of sanitary engineer Green on the necessity for the sewage disposal system to eliminate what he declared to be a "gross nuisance and public health hazard."
    "Many of the citizens of Medford have been led to believe that the matter of sewage disposal for the city has not been given sufficient study and that action should be delayed. We are forced to immediate action," said Mayor Wilson.
    "Let me say that this subject has been considered by your councils for years past without definite action, and that two years ago former Mayor Pipes, myself and others visited Klamath Falls for inspection of that plant and system costing over $300,000, going into detail with their engineer, Mr. Kennedy. Our study of the problem has continued since that time and has been intensive since the present council assumed their duties in January.
    "One of the first communications received by me in entering upon my duties as mayor was from the state board of health, being then advised that something must be done to correct Medford's sewer situation.
    "Realizing the seriousness of the matter, our health committee, with W. W. Allen as chairman, has made a thorough investigation; has worked out all preliminary details in accordance with requirements of the state board of health at little cost to the city; has submitted the preliminary details and specifications to four different engineers, including Mr. Kennedy of San Francisco, Pierce, Greeley & Hansen of Chicago, and Burns, McDonald & Smith of Los Angeles. These engineers have approved our tentative plans and estimates.
    "When the bond issue has been authorized, and I am sure it will be next Wednesday, we will be in a position to employ some sanitary engineer who will prepare final estimates upon which to base a call for bids for all features of construction, and the work could be begun early this fall and continued during the winter, in a measure relieving unemployment.
    "You have chosen a council in whom you must have confidence. This council has assumed a trust in which much responsibility lies, and a diversion of funds from an intended purpose will never be permitted. Our consolidated improvement fund provides for retirement of improvement bonds for which the city is responsible. Water funds will take care of water bonds if conserved and income increased according to the desire heretofore expressed by the people. Our new water system was constructed for $50,000 under the authorized bond issue. The Cottage Street bridge was constructed for §3200 under the estimated cost, due to competitive bidding. Sewer funds will be conserved in a like manner.
    "In constructing the proposed disposal plant and trunk sewer the final expenditure will depend upon the determination of an engineer specializing in such construction. If possible to save in the type of plant or in any feature of construction such will be done. Competitive bidding may also save in construction costs. Be assured that only such portion of the bond issue as is necessary to accomplish the purpose will be sold.
    "The sewage plans outlined cover a completed system for the city and for certain near future annexations; also for the immediate care of storm overflows and for the elimination of four septic tanks now bordering Bear Creek above the city's present septic tank.
    "Those sanitary improvements are essential to the health and dignity of the city.
    "The council up to this time has assumed the responsibility for contagion and sanitary damage but after Wednesday next the responsibility will rest with the people. Fully consider this responsibility in casting your vote Wednesday."
    "Unfortunately, the city council, and particularly the health committee of the council, have been accused of various crimes against the voters of Medford, high-pressure methods used in trying to sell the bond issue to the people and lack of judgment in bringing the election at this time," said W. W. Allen, chairman of the city council committee on health.
    "Answering the first criticism, let me state, ladies and gentlemen, that nothing could be farther from the truth," he continued. "Early this year the council instructed its health committee to go into this problem and obtain data and other information pertaining to construction costs, etc., of a modern sewage disposal plant.
    "The committee has held many meetings and interviewed several well-known sanitary engineers who have come to Medford from as far away as Chicago, at no expense to the taxpayers. These engineers have checked the preliminary plans and estimates furnished by our city engineering department, and have congratulated us on the work so far accomplished, This information is all a matter of record and you can easily check and confirm this statement.
    "It has been said that we should not have brought the election at this time. Other speakers on the program will go into this phase of the program."
    "Let your conscience be your guide. Think it over and vote accordingly," said Clarence A. Meeker, vice mayor and chairman of the council finance committee, in concluding his address, which was mainly devoted to the financial ability of the Medford public to well withstand voting the bond issue.
    "Two things are necessary for the health and happiness of a city--pure water and good sanitation, We have long had the pure water; now a modern sewage disposal system is absolutely necessary. We have passed bond issues before in Medford's history for purposes that we could possibly have done without. I say this without any intention of criticism, but a new sewage disposal system is not in the class I refer to. It is a municipal necessity, that we can no longer do without. It means safety for the lives of a large proportion of our citizens."
    Mr. Meeker stressed the fact that Medford's general taxation record is good, and that the city's taxation is low compared with other Southern Oregon cities. He said that Medford has the lowest general taxation of any municipality in Jackson County.
    "Come to our office and we will be pleased to explain plans on the proposed new sewage disposal system and give figures and costs on the plans," said City Engineer Fred Scheffel, at the conclusion of his remarks.
    Mr. Scheffel explained the present inadequate situation, dilated on the plans for the new sewage disposal system and trunk sewer in connection, told of the various types of septic tank processes in use in other cities. The present plans provide for expansions as needed in the future, and for the complete separation of the sanitary and storm sewage at some future time when the city can afford the enormous cost that would be entailed in effecting such a separation.
    "Medford is known throughout Oregon as having the best water, and the filthiest sewerage," said Dr. D. L. Inskeep, city health officer, in opening his address.
    In pointing out the necessity for the building of the new sewage system--septic tank and trunk sewer for which tomorrow's bond issue is up to the vote of the people--Dr. Inskeep stated that a complete and comprehensive survey has been made of the city and its environs by competent sanitary engineers, and the city administration.
    The proposed system will care for storm and sanitary purposes for 15,000 people without house meters, or for 24,000 people with meters, he said. He related that the proposed system will abolish four septic tanks, and sewer cleanup nuisances.
    He declared the proposed system is designed to provide for future expansion, as the city grows, so that if at any future time any immediate adjoining communities, like Berrydale, should be annexed to the city the added communities could be easily connected up with the city's fine sewer system, if the bond issue passes, and enjoy the benefits of that system.
    In dwelling on the deplorable unsanitary conditions along Bear Creek, caused by the antiquated and inadequate main septic tank, Dr. Inskeep said:
    "Do not take my word for it. Go out and look over the situation for yourself. You will quickly realize the necessity for a new sewage disposal system, and vote the bonds for it."
    Imperative reasons for the passage of the new bond issue were given by Carl E. Green of Portland, state sanitary engineer, in his remarks which plainly show that Medford's reputation is at stake, and that it the city does not voluntarily remedy its present sewage disposal situation steps will be taken by the state on health grounds to compel remedial measures. His remarks follow in part:
    "The state board of health has general oversight of water supplies and sewerage systems of the state. State law requires that all plans of the construction of water and sewer systems must be submitted to, and be approved, by that board before construction may begin.
    "It also says that no sewage may be discharged into any body of water used for a public water supply unless it is first passed through some known system of purification approved by the state board of health.
    "The present city septic tank is not approved by our office for the following reasons: The Rogue River below Medford is used by the cities of Gold Hill and Grants Pass for drinking water purposes. A nuisance exists along Bear Creek caused by Medford sewage.
    "The creek water is used for the irrigation and washing of vegetables, which are sold in the city of Medford. This is a dangerous practice and no doubt has resulted of cases of dysentery and typhoid fever. The organic matter of the sewage so depletes the oxygen of the creek that fish life is destroyed.
    "The Medford city officially were advised last January to proceed immediately with the design of a modern sewage disposal plant providing for adequate treatment. Our office will not approve of any plans which do not provide for complete treatment.
    "Extensions to or modification of the present septic tank will nut be approved.
    "The term 'septic tank' has been improperly used in connection with the proposed new sewage treatment plant. Septic tanks are considered by competent sanitary engineers to be obsolete and inadequate for cities of any size. Septic tanks still are the most practical of all treatment plants for private homes and small institutions, especially where the tank effluent may be disposed of underground by subirrigation.
    "The effluent from a septic tank is not harmless, as so many have been led to believe. Its bacterial content may equal that of the incoming raw sewage. Though it is often said that one may safely drink the tank overflow, only the foolhardy will risk
the danger involved.
    "During the last ten or twenty years much has been learned about the treatment of sewage. Tried and proved modern methods of sewer treatment are at our command, and there is no reason why the older, inadequate methods should now be used. Though there are different processes used to accomplish the required results, they all provide for different units, which have different functions and accomplish the same results. These functions are sedimentation, digestion and oxidation.
    "Their processes are carried on separately and not in intimate contact. Herein lies the chief difference between the old septic tank and the modern methods of treatment.
    "The estimated cost of the proposed sewage disposal plant for Medford is reasonable. The city of La Grande in Eastern Oregon has at present the most complete treatment plant in the state. The effluent is practically always 100 percent stable, that is, incapable of producing conditions of putrefaction in the stream to which it is allowed to flow. This plant was designed for about 10,000 population and cost $106,000. It should be borne in mind that this cost does not include trunk sewer, but is for the plant alone. The cost is proportionately the same as Medford's cost, the added amount being necessary to provide a trunk sewer which is needed here.
    "The people of Medford should vote the bond issue to eliminate the gross nuisance and public health hazard. The task of supplying a city with water does not stop when the used water enters the sewer. The used water, which is sewage, must be disposed of so as to not be a menace to the health and comfort of the city."

Medford Mail Tribune, July 14, 1931, page 1

    The possibility that within the near future Bear Creek will no longer be polluted by sewage disposed at various points along its course is becoming apparent with the continued efforts of valley officials to secure federal aid for the installation of sewage treatment plants.
    Besides the plant at Medford, now under construction, applications have been filed with the PWA for disposal plants at Ashland, Talent and Central Point. Plants at those municipalities would mean the elimination of much contamination of the waters of Bear Creek, which has been a source of considerable vexation in the valley for many years.
    Applications from Ashland have been on file for some time, and word from the PWA is now being awaited. Talent and Central Point both recently followed suit.
    Attorneys Neff and Frohnmayer announced that the application sent PWA engineer C. C. Hockley for a plant at Talent calls for an expenditure of $33,625, which would include both a sewer system and a disposal plant. If the application is granted, 45 percent of the total would be received in form of a federal grant, and the other 55 percent as a loan. The application papers have been sent to Washington, D.C., after a preliminary examination by Hockley. The plans have already met with the approval of the state board of health, according to word received here from Frederick Stricker, state health officer.
    The plant, which would cost approximately $13,300, allowing about $15,500 for installation of the sewer system, exclusive of engineering and other fees, would be located near Bear Creek, about a quarter mile from the center of the town. The sewer system would do away with all backhouses and septic tanks. P. H. Walker of Ashland has been employed as engineer for the project, with Greeley and Hansen of Chicago consulting engineer.
    Attorney Harry Skyrman, representing the Central Point application, stated that a plant in that city, where an adequate concrete sewer system is already in use, would cost approximately $16,000, of which 45 percent would be a federal grant and the remainder a loan.
    The application has been sent to Hockley, and officials are now awaiting its approval or disapproval. The plant would be constructed on the banks of Bear Creek north of the city. A bond issue in Central Point is contemplated if the plant is authorized, attorney Skyrman stated, and some funds are already on hand.
    In investigating the possibilities of the local disposal plant, it was proved that sewage so treated is pure, and that if all sources of sewage were provided with a plant, Bear Creek would be as clean as any mountain stream.
    Steps are expected to be taken for installation of a plant at Phoenix in the future, although no application for this remaining source of contamination has yet been made.
    If pollution of the stream is eliminated, one of the benefits would be a great improvement in fishing conditions, as pure water would encourage increased numbers of salmon, steelhead and trout to seek the headwaters of the creek. Another benefit mentioned today by a prominent Medford man would be the possibility of constructing a dam for a swimming pool in this city.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 18, 1935, page 1

    Medford's new $120,000 sewage disposal plant will be formally opened and "tested" today, according to plans of city officials late yesterday, marking the first completed step in a campaign to not only purify Rogue River, but to protect the health of the Rogue River Valley.
    Started about eight months ago, the new disposal plant, built by R. I. Stuart and Sons, has progressed rapidly. Yesterday workmen were hard at it to install filters and gauges, the last finishing touches.
Purification Immediate
    "Purification of the water should start immediately," City Superintendent Fred Scheffel said. "It will take a month or two for the sludge tank to get in operation, but the water coming out of the plant should be immediately purified. It will take about 24 hours for it to get filled up."
    K. V. Hill, engineer for Greeley and Hansen, designers of the plant, is supervising the final work and will make tests today. Samuel Greeley is expected here Thursday.
Costs Medford $86,000
    The $120,000 system, of which Medford put up bonds for $86,000 and the Public Works Administration about $34,000, will be one of the most modern in the United States. The Medford bonds will be repaid in 10 years by taking six percent of the present water assessment.
    An average of 35 men have been employed since the work started eight months ago, greatly relieving the unemployment situation in Medford.
Porter To Officiate
    If plans as made yesterday work out, Mayor George Porter will throw the switch that turns the sewage into the new plant. City officials are planning a quiet ceremony to mark the huge step in civic progress represented by the plant.
    "The bad odor of Bear Creek will likely persist for a month or two," Scheffel said, "because the old sewage has caught on roots and vegetation growing along the creek, and it will take time before it decomposes, but later this fall the bad odor should all be gone. Next summer you'll see a different Bear Creek."
To Change Vegetation
    "Grass around the old septic tank formed a regular jungle," Scheffel said. "Sweet clover, ordinarily six or seven [inches] high, was 10 and 15 [inches] high. The entire growth of grass along Bear Creek that is characteristic of open sewers, and such as we see along Bear Creek, will change in a year or two to natural grass again."
    No definite hour was set for cutting the sewage over from the septic tank to the disposal plant.
Medford News, July 22, 1936, page 1

    During the month of December Medford's new sewage disposal plant functioned very effectively, it is shown in the report submitted by John A. Clark, superintendent. The effluent, or treated sewage, is of sparkling clear water as it enters Bear Creek, free of all noticeable suspended organic matter.
    Relative stability tests show that the effluent contains enough dissolved oxygen to more than satisfy the small oxygen demand for a period of at least 20 days.
    Results from the sludge or solid matter standpoint have not been so satisfactory, he reported, due to a minor breakdown in November, which caused loss of use of the digester for 10 days. The lower or oldest portion of sludge in the digester is now completely digested, however, and will soon be withdrawn to the drying beds.
    A beautification program at the plant is now under way, with 10 youths working under auspices of the national youth administration, Fred Scheffel, city superintendent, reported. Brush is now being cleared along the banks of Bear Creek and the road serviced. Shrubbery will be planted and the ground leveled for seeding.
Medford News, January 15, 1937, page 1

    Medford voters should, in the light of common decency, support part of the city improvement program which will be voted upon at a special election to be held June 12. The rest of the program could better be held up for "post-war" building.
    This newspaper has consistently insisted that proper care of municipal sewage is necessary if a municipality is to call itself a civilized one.
    When Medford dumps untreated sewage into Bear Creek, allowing that sewage to pollute the waters of Bear Creek and of Rogue River for the entire length of the valley, Medford does not live up to the standard of a decent and civilized municipality. And that is what Medford is doing now. Therefore, we feel that support of the proposals to improve the Medford sewage disposal plant, and improve the sanitary sewer system for the east side of the city, are mandatory. We cannot imagine anyone voting against them, except persons who have absolutely no sense of decency.
Medford News, June 1, 1945, page 4

    Work started this week on construction of the southwest Medford trunk sewer system. S. S. Mullen, Inc., Seattle, is the contractor. Deadline for completion of the project is July 31.
    The work started at the Cottage Street bridge. The new sewer line will run down Spencer to Mayette, then swing westward to Twelfth. Medford voted $100,000 in bonds last July for the project.
Medford News, January 28, 1949, page 1

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