Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a payment over the phone?  

Yes! Payments can be accepted over the phone if paying with a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card.  Payment options include paying on line or over the phone by credit/debit card; delivering your payment either through the mail, to a drop box, or to our office; and paying automatically from your checking or savings account available to our monthly and quarterly residential customers .  Click here for the auto pay application in pdf format.

Can I pay with my credit or debit card?  

Yes, we accept credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) via our website or over the phone, payment in cash or by check, or use of Auto Pay if you qualify. 

How can I pay my account automatically?  

Complete the Auto Pay form and get it to the RVS office by the 20th of the month with a copy of a voided check.  Auto Pay is through a checking or savings account only.  

What is the balance on my account?  

You can check your account balance and history from the "My Account" tab on our website.  You must first register using your customer ID and Location numbers off of your bill.   If you need to see where your Customer Number and Location Number are located, click on "Sample Bill."   If you have already registered, click on "Customer Account Information."  You can also call our office during business hours at 541-664-6300 or 541-779-4144.

What fees could I expect before and after connecting to RVS?  

Although fees vary depending on where your development is located and what type of development you are planning, this fee summary lists our sewer service and stormwater quality rates for residential and commercial properties and development fees for a single family residence in all of the areas we serve.  For actual fees for your specific property/development, please contact our office at 541-664-6300.

I've already paid my development fees.  Why are you charging me again?  

RVS collects sewer system development charges for the three components of the sewer system:  the collection system--the sewer into which your property ties directly; the interceptor--the large pipe into which the collection system flows; and the Regional Treatment Plant.  If your development is within the city limits of Medford, you will pay the fee associated with the Regional Treatment Plant to Medford and the rest to RVS.  Jacksonville and Eagle Point collect all of the fees for RVS.  Other systems development charges that you may have paid include those for storm water, roads, and parks--for which RVS does not collect. 

I don't have a storm drain. Why are you charging me for one?  

The storm water fee collected by RVS supports the Stormwater Quality program mandated under the Federal Clean Water Act.  This program is intended to protect and improve the quality of the water entering the streams from the more densely populated areas.  Areas included in this program were determined based on residential density, not access to public storm drains  Click here for more information on our storm water program.

Where do I get my sewer permit?

Jacksonville issues the sewer permits for developments in Jacksonville.  RVS issues sewer permits for Eagle Point, White City, Central Point, Phoenix, and Talent.  If the development is within the City of Medford and a new tap is required to an RVS sewer line, RVS will issue the tap permit, and the City of Medford will issue the permit to construct the service line.  Jackson County issues sewer permits for septic systems only.

Who do I call to inspect my service line?

RVS performs the inspections on sewer service lines if the permit is issued by RVS.  We also perform the inspections in Eagle Point and Jacksonville.

Who do I call for help with my sewer system?

Billing, customer service, and engineering questions can be answered by calling the front office at 779-4144 or 664-6300. If you are experiencing blockage or backups with your system, call the maintenance office at 779-4186.  

How can I find the sewer on my property?

RVS has drawings of many of our customers' service lines (pipes connected to the public sewer).  These drawings can be picked up at our office or sent to you via fax or US Mail.  

We recommend calling RVS first. That way, if the problem you're experiencing stems from a problem in the public sewer main, we can fix it, without any additional cost to you.  If the public sewer main is o.k., then you might need the help of a professional plumber.

The landowner is. RVS maintains the mainlines within our service area. The mainlines are the pipes that run down the street(s), your service line starts at the connection to our mainline.

A STEP system is a Septic Tank Effluent Pump system, and a STEG system is a Septic Tank Effluent Gravity system.  These systems hold the solid waste and transport the liquid waste  from your house to our mainline using a pump (STEP) or by gravity flow (STEG).

In most cases the property owner is responsible for maintaining the sewer pump on their property.  RVS does maintain a handful of the STEP and STEG systems throughout the service area. If you are unsure if RVS maintains yours, the best thing to do is call RVS before calling someone else to make any repairs. We will be able to tell you if the pump system on your property is one that we maintain.