Growing up on a horse farm in Northern Kentucky, Lydia Watkins initially dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. However, in her final semester at the University of Kentucky, she accepted a co-op position with Sanitation District No. 1 and discovered her passion for developing wastewater and stormwater solutions.
With over a decade of experience, Lydia now holds the role of Senior Director of Engineering, contributing significantly to SD1’s leadership team and spearheading the successful execution of Clean H2O40 projects across Northern Kentucky.
Lydia's remarkable contributions were recognized when she was honored as the 2024 NSPE-KY New Professional Engineer of the Year, a prestigious recognition acknowledging her outstanding dedication to the engineering profession and the community.
The Clean H2O40 program is SD1's commitment to improving the quality of life for Northern Kentucky residents. This long-term initiative aims to completely eliminate sanitary sewer overflows and capture at least 85% of total combined system flow by 2040.
Lydia embodies the dedication and expertise driving Clean H2O40, and she continues to play an indispensable role in making our community a cleaner, safer place to live, work and play.
Outside of work, Lydia continues to nurture her love for nature, enjoying a small horse farm with her family of five.
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