By Rebecca Gold Rubin, Public Outreach Coordinator, Soquel Creek Water District
November is the season of gratitude. A time to appreciate family, friends, good food, and perhaps most importantly, whoever volunteers to do the Thanksgiving dishes.
But this year, we’d like to add something else to the gratitude list: water!
We know, we know. Water probably doesn’t rank quite as high as pumpkin pie or an extra day off work.
But hear us out.
Think about everything water does for us in a single day. It brews our morning coffee, keeps our gardens growing, helps us brush our teeth, washes our favorite cozy sweaters, and makes that Thanksgiving feast possible. (Try cooking mashed potatoes without it!)
And yet, water rarely gets a thank-you card.
Here at Soquel Creek Water District, we’ve been thinking about all the things we’re grateful for this year. And since we’re celebrating 65 years of serving our community, we have plenty of reasons to count our blessings.
So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’re serving up our very own gratitude list. No turkey required.
Our Top 10 Things We’re Thankful For
10) Coffee and Tea. Lots and Lots of Coffee and Tea
Because let’s face it, without water, there would be no coffee or tea. And without coffee or tea (especially my favorite, chai!), Monday mornings would be a whole lot harder. We’re grateful for every delicious, caffeinated drop that helps get our community up and running.
9) Hot Showers and Clean Laundry
Two of life’s simple pleasures that are easy to take for granted. Whether it’s washing off a long day, getting the kids ready for school, or tackling that mountain of laundry that somehow never gets smaller, water makes everyday life a little more comfortable. And for that, we’re thankful.
8) Rainy Days (and permission to stay inside)
There’s something wonderful about hearing raindrops on the roof while you’re curled up with a good book and a warm blanket. Rain helps replenish our natural environment and reminds us just how precious water really is. Plus, it’s a perfectly good excuse to cancel yard work.
7) Our Beautiful Corner of the World
From the sandy beaches of Capitola and Seacliff to the neighborhoods of Soquel, Aptos, Rio Del Mar, La Selva Beach, and beyond, we’re fortunate to serve a community surrounded by natural beauty. We’re grateful for the place we call home and the people who make it special.
6) People Who Fix Leaks
Not all heroes wear capes. Some carry wrenches. We’re thankful for our customers who take the time to repair dripping faucets, running toilets, and sneaky irrigation leaks. Every drop saved helps protect our community’s water resources. And let’s be honest, nobody likes the sound of a faucet dripping at 2 a.m.
5) The Incredible World Beneath Our Feet
You can’t see it, but beneath our community lies the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin, the source of our drinking water. We’re especially thankful for this remarkable natural resource and the opportunity to help restore and protect it through Pure Water Soquel. With purified water now replenishing the basin, we’re taking important steps toward a more sustainable water future. That’s something worth raising a glass to!
4) Our Water-Wise Community
From shorter showers to beautiful water-efficient gardens, our customers have shown that conservation isn’t just something we do during a drought. It’s a way of life. We’re grateful for the little choices that add up to a big difference. Besides, who doesn’t love a garden that looks great without demanding a daily drink?
3) The People Behind the Pipes
Most people don’t spend much time thinking about what happens between the groundwater basin and their kitchen faucet. Fortunately, our employees do! From water quality testing and maintaining infrastructure to helping customers, planning for the future, and responding to emergencies, our dedicated team works hard to keep water flowing safely and reliably. Some work on our infrastructure in trenches, some in our office behind computers, and some on our many wells and treatment facilities scattered throughout our service area. We’re thankful for every single one of them.
2) Sixty-Five Years of Community Support
This year marks Soquel Creek Water District’s 65th anniversary!
Since 1961, we’ve grown and evolved alongside the community we serve. Through changing times, challenging droughts, new technologies, and major milestones, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to providing safe, reliable water.
We’re grateful to the generations of community members, Board members, and employees who helped build the District into what it is today. Sixty-five looks pretty good on us, don’t you think?
1) YOU! (Yes, really!)
At the very top of our gratitude list is our community. Our customers, neighbors, local businesses, community partners, and everyone who cares about protecting our water resources.
Your support, questions, ideas, and participation help shape our work and our future. We wouldn’t be here without you, and that’s something we never take for granted.
A Toast to the Little Things
Thanksgiving reminds us that some of life’s greatest gifts are also the easiest to overlook.
As we gather around our tables this November, we hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate the little things that make life wonderful. Maybe even give your glass of water a little nod of appreciation.
From all of us at Soquel Creek Water District, thank you for 65 wonderful years of community, partnership, and trust.
Here’s to full hearts, full glasses, and a season overflowing with gratitude.
Happy Thanksgiving!