Richard P. Bay
General Manager, CEO

After our recent experience with five years of drought, we enjoyed a second year of good water supply during 2006. This provided an opportunity for Jordan Valley to rest its wells and allow the underground aquifer “reservoir” to recover from the effects of drought. Although early data for 2007 indicates below-normal snowpack conditions, we ended calendar year 2006 with a good water supply due to substantial reserves in storage.

The retirement of David Ovard as General Manager was a significant event at the end of 2006. Dave’s accomplishments and contributions to Jordan Valley Water's success are extensive, and are highlighted in the Annual Report. Jordan Valley will miss Dave!

The year 2006 also marked a continuation of rapid population growth in Jordan Valley Water's western and southern service areas. Jordan Valley and its member agencies worked together in planning for important new infrastructure to serve these fast-growing areas. Jordan Valley has made significant progress in infrastructure engineering and construction for these areas, and sees a need for these efforts to continue in coming years.

As population continues to grow rapidly, Jordan Valley has continued to lead in the implementation of water conservation education and outreach programs. The public responded by achieving nearly a 19 percent reduction in water use by 2005, but in 2006 water usage increased due to perceptions of the drought ending.

Jordan Valley will continue its efforts to assist its member agencies and customers in the quest to be more water efficient in coming years. Among those efforts in 2007 is the planned expansion of the Conservation Garden Park at Jordan Valley.