Municipal Water Plant Superintendent Award | Bookkeeper of the Year | City Administrator of the Year | Manager of the Year | Conger Award | Municipal Wastewater Operator of the Year | Operator of the Year | City Clerk of the Year | Friend of Rural Water | Most Improved System | Silver Faucet Award

Jay Mars of Corning Named KRWA Rural Water Operator of the Year

In keeping with the Association’s award criteria of sustaining the community, Jay Mars has achieved this goal many times over. Jay’s involvement in the business of managing a rural water district with over 300 miles of pipe, three storage tanks and a well field, while working on a part-time basis is nothing short of spectacular. “Unfortunately, water leaks don’t always occur during normal business hours, so being on call 24/7 has meant missing holiday gatherings to fix water leaks, ensuring our customers have water,” Mars explained.

Jay is the third member of his family to work for this water district with his father, Bob, serving on the Board of Directors since the district formed in 1977. Jay’s mother, Ann Mars, has been bookkeeper for 17 years and together Jay and his mother take care of 569 customers as well as the city of Havensville.

Jay Mars has been a dedicated employee of Pottawatomie RWD 3 since 1997, achieving certification as operator in 1998. The RWD also operates efficiently with water loss maintained at less than 10%.

Jay and his wife, Tami, have three-year-old twins, Trent and Avery. In addition to working for the rural water district, Jay also farms with his dad and brother. In any free time, he enjoys hunting and camping.