Document text
Medford water manager prepares for new challenges Brad Taylor Monday Jul 24, 2017 at 5:45 PM Jul 24, 2017 at 5:45 PM Damian Mann Mail Tribune @reporterdm Almost 10 months after the previous Medford Water Commission manager resigned amid controversy over lead pipes, a replacement to head the agency has been hired. Brad Taylor, former water operations manager at Eugene Water and Electric Board, took the reins at the Water Commission on Monday. Awaiting him are challenges ranging from an $18 million expansion of the Duff Water Treatment Plant to an ongoing study that might lead to adding chemicals to drinking water to prevent pipe corrosion. "My sole responsibility as general manager is the operation of the community water system and ensuring excellence in water quality, system reliability and customer satisfaction," Taylor said. The previous manager, Larry Rains, resigned in October after commission members expressed concerns about the handling of the discovery of lead pipes in the water system. The commission last year found 27 lead connectors known as pigtails in the system and removed them. With the lead issue fading in the rear-view mirror, the next hot button for the commission may be the potential for putting additives in the water supply. But Taylor, 45, said the outcome of a study into the corrosive effects of water on pipelines is not a foregone conclusion, and that it may not be necessary to further treat the water. "It's too early to tell exactly what needs to be done or whether anything needs to be done," he said. Taylor, who will earn $160,000 annually in benefits and salary, noted that Eugene adds soda ash to adjust the pH of its water. Adjusting the pH is a familiar practice for people with a swimming pool or spa, he said. It's also common for municipal water systems. "We would be assuring the public that this is not something unique to Medford," Taylor said. "It is being done all over the country." Once the study is completed, the Water Commission will provide a detailed explanation to the public and have an open discussion, Taylor said. From its source at Big Butte Springs, Medford's water is regarded as pristine. But water reacts with pipes and leaches out lead and copper, though the corrosion study will determine whether it's a serious problem. Adding a chemical to the water would coat the pipes, minimizing the amount of metals that leach out. The Water Commission is also in the midst of an expansion of the Duff Treatment Plant that will increase the amount of water treated from the Rogue River from the current 45 million gallons to 65 million gallons a day. Rogue River water is used to supplement Big Butte Springs water, mostly during summer months. Taylor brings more than 20 years of experience to the job. A Humboldt State University graduate in 1995, he earned a degree in environmental resources engineering with an emphasis on water treatment and quality. He's worked at Eugene Water and Electric since 2003. Taylor has been busy searching for a house in the Medford area with his wife and two young boys. Water Commission board member John Dailey said Taylor has a strong engineering background but also has considerable experience as an administrator who proved himself at his last job. More than two dozen people applied for the manager position before the list was narrowed to four candidates who had Skype interviews. The final candidates met with the commission board. "The board was unanimous in selecting Brad," Dailey said. Taylor has a good understanding of the human dynamics of an organization as well as the technical aspects, Dailey said. He said he thought Taylor would communicate well with the board while also helping to rebuild the organization's reputation, which suffered during the lead-pipe controversy. "I think Brad's going to be terrific," Dailey said. Taylor, who looks forward to enjoying the outdoors in the area with his family, said he's looking forward to getting to know the community better and explaining the steps the Water Commission is planning to take on a number of issues. "You try to do the best you can do to get the information out there to the community," Taylor said. — Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm.