HERO Spotlight: Chris Freels
Field Supervisor | Soquel Creek Water District | Soquel, CA
When water systems work the way they should, most people never think twice about them. Clean water flows. Bills arrive. Life goes on.
But behind that quiet reliability are people like Chris Freels, Field Supervisor at Soquel Creek Water District: professionals whose work happens largely behind the scenes, yet directly shapes the health, affordability, and sustainability of their communities.
Chris has been with Soquel Creek for over 13 years, and during that time, he’s seen the district evolve from manual meter reading to a fully deployed AMI system, helping the district deliver a higher level of customer service in one of California’s most water-sensitive regions.
From food service to public service
Chris didn’t set out with a lifelong plan to work in water, but the industry found him at the right moment.
After years in food service, he attended a community college seminar on careers in water and immediately saw the potential: meaningful work, long-term stability, and the opportunity to serve people every day. He earned his certifications, volunteered at a small water district, and kept applying until he landed at Soquel Creek, where he’s built a career grounded in service and pride.
Knowing the system – and the people – inside and out
Today, Chris oversees the field team responsible for customer service interactions, meter reading, leak response, and cross-department support. No two days are the same.
What it takes to truly know a system, Chris says, is no longer just technical knowledge; it’s time, relationships, and familiarity with the people and places that make each district unique.
From understanding which tanks feed which neighborhoods to building trust with property managers and residents, Chris sees his role as deeply human. “It is people,” he explained. “It is customer service.”
Technology that serves people, not the other way around
Soquel Creek operates in a challenging environment: no large reservoir, reliance on groundwater, and proximity to the Monterey Bay, where over-pumping risks saltwater intrusion into the aquifer.
That reality makes efficiency and conservation critical, and it’s where AMI has transformed Chris’s work.
Before AMI, high bills were often a mystery. Now, his team can show customers exactly what’s happening – from continuous leaks to irrigation patterns – and help them take action before problems spiral out of control.
“For us,” Chris shared, “being able to provide that data and help people understand it is our most valuable tool.”
Innovation rooted in practicality
Chris is known for being willing to try new things, including helping innovate a solar repeater installation that improved system performance for the district.
But for him, innovation isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about collaboration, reasoning through solutions, and adapting tools to the realities of each unique system.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all,” he said. “Everywhere is different.”
Pride in service, not recognition
When asked what motivates him, Chris didn’t talk about recognition or accolades. He talked about helping people.
From walking residents through their first major leak to dispatching help when someone doesn’t know where to start, the most rewarding days are the ones where he leaves knowing he made someone’s situation better.
“To help people have clean drinking water,” he said, “that’s a pretty good job.”
A HERO who points the spotlight outward
Chris is uncomfortable calling himself a HERO, but he has no trouble applying that label to his team.
He credits their enthusiasm, kindness, and commitment as the real reason the work gets done well. Building a department where people want to show up, support one another, and genuinely care about doing a good job is what he’s most proud of.
“They’re my heroes,” he said simply.
Partner perspective
Chris Medrano, Account Manager at HydroPro Solutions, summed it up this way:
“Chris goes above and beyond without ever asking for recognition. He knows his system inside and out, is willing to try new ideas that benefit the district, and approaches every challenge with humility and care. He’s the kind of partner and person this industry needs more of.”
⭐ HERO Highlight
When he’s not keeping water flowing: Walking the beach with his family, catching waves, biking around town, cooking at home, and unwinding with music
Coffee order: Black drip coffee – strong, simple, and dependable