In the Hemet Valley, water has always shaped the community.

Long before the area grew into what it is today, the construction of Lake Hemet made it possible for families, farms, and businesses to take root. That legacy still runs through Lake Hemet Municipal Water District, and through the people who serve it.

People like Jason Venable.

Jason is the Engineering Services Manager at LHMWD, where he oversees the meter department and helps lead major initiatives like the district’s transition to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). But his connection to the district goes back much further.

While studying agricultural engineering with a focus on water management, Jason interned with LHMWD during an earlier system upgrade: helping install a vehicle-based meter reading system. It was his first real look at how water systems evolve to better serve their communities.

After college, he spent time designing irrigation systems for vineyards and orchards before returning to LHMWD full-time, a place that felt like a natural fit.

“The District has a long, unique, and important history in our community… and I enjoy being a part of that.”

 

Building on What Came Before

That legacy helps shape the way Jason approaches his work today.

LHMWD is somewhat unique in that it serves both residential customers and the local agricultural community, supplying water from Lake Hemet and surrounding mountain sources. That means balancing aging infrastructure, growing demand, and long-term planning, all at the same time.

Jason’s approach to that challenge is simple:

“I generally just try to make improvements where I can.”

It’s a mindset that shows up in both the small, day-to-day decisions and the larger projects shaping the district’s future.

 

Taking the Next Step with AMI

One of those larger efforts is the district’s transition to AMI.

For Jason, it’s more than chasing new technology; it’s about continuing a steady progression. LHMWD moved from manual reads to a vehicle-based system in the late 2000s, significantly improving efficiency and customer service. Now, with that system nearing the end of its life, AMI is the next step forward.

With roughly 15,000 services spread across hillsides, rural neighborhoods, and even a satellite system miles away, the upgrade will make a meaningful difference.

“AMI allows us to significantly increase our reading and billing efficiency, in addition to all the customer service and conservation benefits that come with real-time consumption analysis.”

From leak detection to better visibility into water use, the goal is simple: give customers better tools and better service.

That forward-thinking approach hasn’t gone unnoticed.

As HydroPro Account Manager Chris Lambros puts it, Jason has played a key role in helping move the district forward, leading the transition from its existing AMR system to a full AMI network, while continuing to modernize infrastructure and streamline operations.

 

A Community You Know Personally

For Jason, the work is never abstract.

Because when he thinks about customers, he’s thinking about people he knows.

“It is absolutely a benefit… I have a lot of family and friends that are customers.”

That connection shows up in the way the district operates. Many of the team members at LHMWD share similar ties to the community, and it’s reflected in their commitment to doing the job well.

In an industry where every decision affects daily life, that perspective matters.

 

Leading Without the Spotlight

Jason’s leadership style is exactly what you’d expect from someone who grew up in the community he now serves.

When things get challenging, his approach is straightforward:

“A calm and positive example is usually helpful.”

Whether it’s navigating large-scale projects like AMI or managing the day-to-day realities of a growing system, that steady mindset helps keep his team focused and moving forward.

 

Grounded at Home

Outside of work, Jason spends as much time as he can outdoors: hunting, fishing, or exploring the mountains and desert in one of his off-road vehicles.

He’s also a pilot, something he started long before he could drive, flying with his dad and brother.

But no matter where he goes, Hemet is home.

Born and raised in the valley, Jason still lives and works in the same community he now helps support. It’s where his family is, where his roots are, and where his work has the most impact.

 

The Work That Matters

Ask Jason what he’s most proud of, and you won’t get a long list.

Instead, his focus stays on the bigger picture:

“It might sound cliché, but providing safe and affordable water to our customers is always the primary goal… I hope to make as many improvements as I can while I am here.”

He may not call himself a HERO.

But in a place where water has always defined what’s possible, the people who quietly keep it flowing -and keep improving it- are exactly that.