A Family with a Mission Announces the Blue Water Program!

Nearly 98% of streamflow from the Deschutes River above Bend is diverted through irrigation canals during the irrigation season resulting in a dramatic reduction in streamflow in the Middle Deschutes. The low streamflows lead to habitat degradation, water quality problems, and an unhealthy river system. It is an issue that affects all of us in the community. The solution? The Blue Water Program. Avion Water Company, owned and operated by Jan Wick and his family, is partnering with the Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC) to start a voluntary program called Blue Water, specifically designed to give back to the Deschutes River. This program epitomizes the civic leadership of Jan, Chris, Jason, and Jordan Wick. They are deeply committed to the community and strongly believe in the notion of giving back. 


Approximately 11,000 Avion water customers throughout Central Oregon, from north of Redmond to north of La Pine, and as far east as Powell Butte, will have the opportunity to check a box on their water bill to make a small donation to the DRC.  This innovative program gives Avion Water customers an opportunity to make direct donations to support DRC programs that put water back in the river. Periodic inserts with the Avion Water bill will promote the program and include an enrollment form. The enrollment form offers four different donation levels starting at $1.60 per month and going up to $6.40 per month (at $1.60 increments), 100% of which goes to the DRC to increase streamflow in the middle Deschutes River. Customers can join or discontinue the program at any time.

Customers who sign up will see the addition of Blue Water to their bill. Donations through Blue Water will be held by Avion and automatically deposited into a DRC account once each month. The fund created by Blue Water donations will be restricted to streamflow enhancement programs, such as leases and instream transfers, on the Deschutes River above Lake Billy Chinook. The first year of the program we will dedicate 100% of the funds to instream leases with no dollars going toward staff time, overhead, or other leasing related expenses.

The advantage of the Blue Water program is that all of the funds promote local programs to increase streamflows. With 5% participation at the lowest contribution level, the Blue Water program will provide $10,500 in funding over a one-year period. The DRC would like to acknowledge their support and thank Avion Water Company for helping us achieve our mission.