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Council 2 is thrilled to announce that JeremI Watkins, a Drainage and Wastewater Crew Chief for Seattle Public Utilities, has been honored with the 2025 US Water Prize for Outstanding Water Workforce Member! This prestigious national award recognizes his exceptional dedication and skill in a field essential to public well-being.

The US Water Alliance proudly presented this award to Jeremi for his ability to "expertly navigate complex technical challenges and customer interactions with both skill and genuine care". His path to his leadership role has been cultivated over eight years at SPU through
intentional professional development, a steadfast commitment to building a strong team and culture, and unwavering dedication to serving his community. Preceding his time at SPU, Jeremi's journey included eight years of service in the US Army National Guard and Reserves, including a tour in Afghanistan, experiences that profoundly shaped him into the devoted culture-builder, mentor, and essential member of SPU’s water workforce he is today. His work, and that of his team, is fundamental to ensuring the smooth operation of Seattle's water and wastewater systems.

For Jeremi, the work he does is incredibly meaningful. He is driven by the opportunity to connect with customers and solve problems, ensuring that no one is left in distress. His crew operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays, always ready to respond and remedy any issue. This constant vigilance underscores their commitment to the city and its residents.

Winning this award is a huge point of pride for Jeremi, but he emphasizes that it's not just about him; it's about his entire team. He acknowledges the long hours, hard work, and the collective pride they take in doing what's right for their city. Being recognized at this national level means that people are seeing the value in the crucial work they do behind the scenes, which means everything to him.

Jeremi also uses this moment to inspire others, noting that the future is here and needs to be preserved. For anyone looking to make a difference, he stresses that if you want to be a protector of the environment and ensure a future for generations to come, this is the opportunity to step up and join those working to make the nation a better place.

Congratulations, Jeremi Watkins, and the entire Seattle Public Utilities team, on this well-deserved recognition! Your tireless efforts truly exemplify the spirit of service and environmental stewardship that make us union-strong. 

Watch Jeremi's video segment highlighted at 13:28.