Stormwater runoff is rain, snow, hail, or other precipitation that flows over the ground instead of soaking into the soil. As water moves across the landscape, it can collect pollutants and carry them into nearby storm drains, streams, and rivers.

Before roads, buildings, parking lots, and other hard surfaces were developed, much of the precipitation naturally infiltrated into the ground. Today, these impervious surfaces prevent water from soaking in, increasing the volume and speed of runoff reaching local waterways.

This increased runoff can contribute to flooding, stream erosion, and water quality problems if pollutants are carried into stormwater systems and receiving waters.

Stormwater runoff does not flow to a wastewater treatment plant. In urban areas, rainwater travels across rooftops, lawns, driveways, parking lots, and streets, picking up pollutants such as oil, grease, fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, sediment, and litter along the way. This runoff enters storm drains, catch basins, pipes, and ditches, which carry it directly to local streams, Bear Creek, the Rogue River, and ultimately the Pacific Ocean without treatment.

To help protect local waterways, Rogue Valley Sewer Services (RVSS) works with partner jurisdictions to label storm drains with messages such as “No Dumping - Drains to Stream.” These reminders help raise awareness that anything entering a storm drain may end up in our rivers and streams untreated.

If you see anything other than stormwater entering a storm drain, creek, ditch, or waterway, please report it as soon as possible. Illegal or suspicious discharges can include spills, dumping, soapy water, paint, chemicals, oil, wastewater, or any other substance that could pollute local waterways. Quick reporting helps prevent pollutants from reaching our streams and rivers.

While agency staff regularly inspect and maintain the stormwater system, community members play a vital role in identifying and reporting potential water quality concerns. If you see something that does not look or smell right, please contact the appropriate jurisdiction below.

If the spill poses an immediate threat to public safety or the environment, contact emergency services and the appropriate local agency immediately.

Report a spill or an illegal or suspicious discharge to:
City of Ashland:  541-552-2419
City of Central Point:  541-664-7602 or 541-423-1019.  If after hours: 541-326-3682
City of Medford:  541-774-2600
RVSS: Cities of Eagle Point, Phoenix , Talent, and urbanized, unincorporated Jackson County
    (including White City):  541-779-4186

For addresses within the unincorporated areas of Jackson County and not addresses within city limits, file a complaint with Jackson County Code Enforcement or call Jackson County Development Services at 541-774-6906.

Under the Federal Clean Water Act, local governments are responsible for protecting the quality of water discharged from storm drains into rivers, streams, and other waterways. Stormwater quality is regulated through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit program.

When MS4 permits were first issued in the Rogue Valley, local communities worked together to determine the most cost-effective way to meet permit requirements. Rather than having each jurisdiction operate a separate stormwater quality program, they chose a regional approach and designated RVSS to manage the program on their behalf.

Today, RVSS holds the MS4 permit and administers the stormwater quality program for the Cities of Eagle Point, Phoenix, and Talent, as well as urbanized areas of unincorporated Jackson County. RVSS works with these jurisdictions to protect local waterways through public education, pollution prevention, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site runoff control, and other water quality programs.

This cooperative approach helps reduce costs, improve consistency, and protect the Rogue Valley's streams and rivers.

RVSS manages the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Phase II Permit for the Cities of Eagle Point, Phoenix, and Talent, as well as urbanized areas of unincorporated Jackson County. RVSS administers the regional stormwater quality program on behalf of these jurisdictions to help protect local streams, rivers, and other waterways from pollution. For a map of the permit area, visit Maps & GIS and select the MS4 Boundary layer under the Stormwater map.

The MS4 permit program focuses on six key areas:

• Public Education and Outreach - Educating residents, businesses, and contractors about how everyday activities affect water quality.
• Public Involvement and Participation - Encouraging community involvement through volunteer activities, public engagement, and reporting of stormwater concerns.
• Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination - Identifying and eliminating illegal or improper discharges to the stormwater system.
• Construction Site Runoff Control - Reviewing and inspecting construction activities to minimize erosion and sediment leaving project sites.
• Post-Construction Stormwater Management - Ensuring new development and redevelopment projects incorporate practices that reduce stormwater impacts after construction is complete.
• Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations - Working with local jurisdictions to reduce pollution from roads, parks, public facilities, and maintenance activities.

RVSS also provides technical assistance, conducts inspections and investigations, reviews stormwater management plans, coordinates permit compliance efforts with partner jurisdictions, and submits required reports to DEQ. Through these activities, RVSS helps communities comply with state and federal regulations while protecting water quality in Bear Creek, the Rogue River, and other local waterways.

It is important to note that RVSS manages stormwater quality and regulatory compliance, but does not own, operate, or maintain most stormwater infrastructure. Local cities and Jackson County remain responsible for maintaining storm drains, pipes, ditches, catch basins, and other drainage facilities within their jurisdictions.

Construction activities such as clearing, grading, excavation, trenching, stockpiling, and landscaping can increase erosion and sediment runoff, which may impact stormwater quality and local waterways. Because of these potential impacts, many construction projects are required to obtain erosion control and stormwater permits before land-disturbing activities begin.

RVSS administers erosion and sediment control permitting within its MS4 service area and reviews construction projects to ensure appropriate best management practices (BMPs) are implemented to prevent sediment, concrete washout, pollutants, and other contaminants from leaving the site and entering storm drains or waterways.

Depending on the size, scope, and location of the project, applicants may be required to obtain a local erosion control permit, coverage under Oregon's DEQ 1200-C Construction Stormwater General Permit, or both. Permit requirements vary by project and are subject to state and local regulations.

For current permit requirements, application procedures, fees, and guidance documents, visit the Erosion Control Permit Application Process page or refer to the Rogue Valley Stormwater Quality Design Manual.

RVSS reviews construction projects for compliance with stormwater quality requirements, conducts site inspections, and works with contractors and developers to minimize erosion and prevent pollutants from leaving construction sites and entering local waterways.

For more information, visit the Erosion Control Permit Application Process page: View Erosion Control Permit Information.

No. The Cities of Central Point, Medford, and Ashland each manage their own stormwater quality programs and hold separate permits from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

RVSS manages the stormwater quality program for Eagle Point, Phoenix, Talent, and urbanized areas of unincorporated Jackson County. If your project or property is located outside the RVSS service area, contact the appropriate city or local jurisdiction for stormwater requirements and permitting information.

The RVSS Stormwater Quality Program is funded through MS4 permit fees and stormwater management fees collected through the utility billing process. These funds support permit compliance activities such as public education, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site inspections, post-construction review, and water quality program administration.

For additional information about stormwater fees and services, click Stormwater Management Services and Fees on the right.

Do not discharge chlorinated water, saltwater, or filter backwash water into a storm drain, ditch, creek, or other waterway. Pool and spa water should be dechlorinated and must be disposed of properly to protect fish and water quality.  For detailed guidance, see:

 All properties within the RVSS MS4 jurisdiciton (Cities of Eagle Point, Phoenix, and Talent, as well as urbanized areas of unincorporated Jackson County) must comply with the City of Medford disposal requirements.

Green Infrastructure (GI) is an approach to managing stormwater that works with nature instead of relying only on pipes and drainage systems. GI uses plants, soils, and natural processes to capture, absorb, filter, and slow down stormwater runoff before it reaches storm drains, streams, and rivers.

Examples of green infrastructure include rain gardens, vegetated swales, trees, permeable pavement, and landscaping designed to allow water to soak into the ground.

Allowing stormwater to soak into the ground helps reduce flooding, slow erosion, filter pollutants, recharge groundwater supplies, and maintain healthier stream flows during dry periods. By mimicking the way water moved across the landscape before development, green infrastructure helps protect water quality and reduces some of the negative impacts of development, such as increased runoff, flooding, stream erosion, and pollution entering local waterways.

At a larger scale, green infrastructure also includes natural areas such as wetlands, floodplains, and stream corridors that provide flood protection and water quality benefits.