When you turn on the tap in your kitchen, fill a glass of water, or watch your kids run through the sprinklers, it might feel like magic — clean, safe water always there when you need it. But behind every drop are dedicated people, working every day, in all kinds of conditions, to make sure our community has the water it depends on. 

This October 4–12, Soquel Creek Water District is joining communities across California in celebrating Water Professionals Appreciation Week. It’s a time to recognize the women and men whose dedication, skills, and teamwork keep the water flowing, protect public health, and safeguard our environment. 

“Water is something most of us don’t think twice about — until it’s not there,” said Melanie Mow Schumacher, General Manager. “But for our staff, it’s all they think about. Every pipe repair, every water quality test, every community program, every customer call is rooted in our commitment to serve our neighbors and protect our precious groundwater.” 

A Day in the Life  

Take an early morning drive down Soquel Drive, and you might spot a District field crew truck pulled up on the shoulder. By the time most of us are brewing our first cup of coffee, District crews are already out in the neighborhoods, responding to calls, checking valves, or repairing leaks. 

Field crews are often the most visible part of the District. They’re the ones who climb into trenches to repair aging pipes, install meters for residential and business water service, or work through the night at times to restore service after a water main break. “We know people are counting on us,” said Justin P., who has worked with the District for more than a decade. “That’s why we do our best to get in, get the job done right, and get water back to folks as quickly as possible.” 

But the work doesn’t stop there. In the background, water quality specialists are taking water samples, making sure every glass of water meets the strictest state and federal health standards. Engineers are planning the infrastructure of tomorrow, designing pipelines and treatment facilities to carry the community into a more sustainable future. Customer service representatives answer hundreds of calls and emails each week, helping residents understand their bills, track down leaks, or pay their bills. 

Protecting a Precious Resource  

The District faces a unique challenge: we rely entirely on local groundwater for our drinking water supply. Over the years, those underground aquifers have been at risk from seawater intrusion due to overdraft — saltwater from the ocean seeping inland and threatening to contaminate wells.. 

Addressing this challenge has required innovation, and the District’s staff has been at the center of it. One of the most groundbreaking projects is Pure Water Soquel, which takes recycled water, purifies it to meet and exceed drinking water standards, and uses it to replenish the groundwater basin. The project represents years of planning, permitting, and construction, with staff shepherding every step. 

“It’s one of the most rewarding projects of my career,” said Cameron Kostigen Mumper, Water Resources Associate Manager, who works on Pure Water Soquel. “Knowing that we’re securing a safe water supply for future generations — that’s what being a water professional is all about.” 

Inspiring the Next Generation  

Water Professionals Appreciation Week isn’t just about recognizing today’s workforce — it’s also about inspiring tomorrows. The State of California established the week in 2016 to highlight the critical role of water professionals and encourage young people to consider careers in the water sector. 

At the District, that mission is taken to heart. Through school programs, career days, internships, and mentorships, staff share their passion for water with students. “This is a field where you can make a real difference,” said Taj Dufour, Engineering Manager, who yearly takes on mentoring students from the Diamond Technology Institute in Watsonville, “You’re protecting health, supporting your community, and helping the environment — all at the same time.”

A Community of Thanks  

As we celebrate Water Professionals Week, the message is simple: gratitude. Whether you receive your water from Soquel Creek Water District or other water professionals in our region- let’s have gratitude for the people who climb into trenches on stormy nights, who test and retest water samples, who patiently answer billing questions, who envision new projects to protect our supply, who work with our community, and who work quietly behind the scenes so that when you turn the tap, the water is always there.   

So the next time you take a sip of cool water, think of the water professionals who made it possible. This week — and every week — they deserve our thanks. For more information about Soquel Creek Water District and its dedicated team, visit www.soquelcreekwater.org.