A new study, commissioned by a consortium of fly fishing groups, contends the effluent from Medford’s wastewater treatment plant illegally harms insect life and promotes unwanted algae growth in the Rogue River.

The city’s permit provides a pollution exemption immediately below the outfall pipe, but requires the water quality elsewhere in the Rogue be managed to protect designated beneficial uses. The study asserts the effluent’s impact extends close to a mile further downstream than allowed.

Medford’s public works manager Cory Crebbin has not yet read the report but states the plant is operated so the released effluent is always well within the parameters set by the DEQ permit