A timeline of events: Hudson 7 and the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) Transmission Cable8/8/2024
When the Hudson 7 first learned about the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) proposed transmission cable route in relation to their drinking water intakes back in 2020, they immediately raised concerns about the risk to both the physical intake structures and the potential risk of contamination due to the jet-plowing technology proposed for use in the Hudson River. Since then, the Hudson 7 has worked diligently to ensure the safety of its drinking water for more than 100,000 people living and working in the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, the Village and Town of Rhinebeck, and the Towns of Esopus, Hyde Park and Lloyd. Through the tenacity and sheer grit of the Hudson 7, CHPE agreed to studies that had not otherwise been required by their permits. Using the Hudson 7’s Proposed Testing & Monitoring Protocols, a pair of studies to test the impacts of an underwater transmission line resulted in changing the originally proposed route that would have run directly over the Town of Esopus’ intake, and between the City and Town of Poughkeepsie’s intakes. By June of 2024, the Public Service Commission granted the CHPE project all of its approvals for construction, which is believed to start this month. The Hudson 7’s success in improving the CHPE project transmission cable route to protect drinking water was accomplished by the council’s technical advisors who serve as volunteers at no cost to residents. This free use of time and resources is especially significant given that the CHPE cable route is a “for profit” energy project. “In the future, the state needs to be more aware of the burdens these projects place on small local governments,” said Mayor Gary Bassett and Chair of the Hudson 7 council in a Times Union report. “Let’s face it: None of us want it [CHPE] in the river,” Bassett said. “The message has to be, to the state of New York: Don’t do this to the municipalities again.” About the Hudson 7: The Hudson 7 is a collaboration of the mid-Hudson municipalities and counties that draw drinking water from the Hudson River: Town of Esopus, Town of Hyde Park, Town of Lloyd, Town and City of Poughkeepsie, Town and Village of Rhinebeck located in Ulster and Dutchess counties.  Dottie DiNobile, PWTF Laboratory Director and Hudson 7 Technical Advisor The Hudson 7 celebrated its six-year anniversary with a tour of the Poughkeepsies' Water Treatment Facility (PWTF) located on the Marist College campus in the City of Poughkeepsie. More than 27 people joined Hudson 7 council members that included water operators from the Town of Esopus, Village of Rhinebeck, City and Town of Poughkeepsie, staff from state agencies and non-government organizations and members of the public.  Five dozen "Hudson 7" donuts for all in celebration thanks to Diane Reeder of the Kingston Candy Bar.  Randy Alstadt, Plant Administrator provides a 90-minute tour of the PWTF.  Paul Malmrose, Hudson 7 Technical Advisor (Engineering)  Devin Rigolino, Dutchess County Planning and Development and Vice Chair of the Hudson 7.  May 31, 2024 marks the sixth anniversary for the Hudson River Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7). To celebrate, we are launching our first annual Water Operators Appreciation Week (May 27 - 31), to provide a unique opportunity to recognize our water treatment professionals, the communities that they serve and the vital role that clean water plays in our daily lives. We are also hosting a tour of the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility on the Marist College Campus that is open to the public on Friday, May 31 at 10am. Please contact us at [email protected] if you’re interested in attending.
The Hudson 7 has five water treatment plants within its watershed located in the Hudson River estuary. Each day this week, we will feature one of these facilities and highlight a member of their staff whose work is essential in protecting public health. Their participation in the Hudson 7 is central to our mission, and their guidance is critical in helping us to protect the Hudson River as a drinking water supply to more than 100,000 people. Today, we turn the spotlight on the Town of Lloyd’s Highland Water District, located in Ulster County and Adam Litman, who serves as Water and Sewer Administrator. The Highland Water District system serves around 10,000 people through 1,913 service connections. Their water sources are the Hudson River and four upland reservoirs. One horizontal and two vertical wells, drilled into the Illinois Mountain are used as supplemental sources for their reservoirs. The reservoirs and wells are located behind the John Jankiewicz Water plant at 2 Thomas Rizzo Boulevard in Highland. We are pleased that Adam was able to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. What is your title and what do you do? How long have you been in your position? I am the Water/Sewer Administrator in the Town of Lloyd. What do I do? That’s a tough one to answer. The employees and I do it all. But myself, I am responsible for the administration of three departments. 1. (The Town of Lloyd Water Department), IA-SW/GUI Filtration Plant and the employees. 2. (The Town of Lloyd Wastewater Treatment Plant), Grade III, Fixed Film Process and the employees. 3. (The Town of Lloyd Road Crew) collections and distribution systems and the employees. I’ve been employed by the Town of Lloyd Water & Sewer Districts since October of 2004 and my career started in Wastewater. I have been in the Administrative position since March 2012. How did you come to choose a career in drinking water? The career chose me! In my late 20’s I was a hub manager for a small trucking company, I worked a lot of hours and was paid well but the job had no meaning behind it, just a paycheck. I had begun applying for work at the Town of Lloyd Highway Department because I wanted to work for the Town I lived in. After two years of trying at the Highway Department a friend told me the Water Department was hiring. At the time I had never thought of applying. So I did. I had no experience in, or any idea of what a job like this might consist of but I was excited. After the application process and a few inquiring phone calls I was told the position was filled, my heart sank, but they informed me that a position was open at the Wastewater. What, where, well maybe. So I gave it a shot and I am glad I did. What do you appreciate about your job? I appreciate all the opportunities this career has provided. What advice do you have for young people considering the same career? If you love life, people and the environment and are willing to learn, there are endless opportunities in these fields. ### About the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7): The Hudson 7 is a collaboration of the mid-Hudson municipalities and counties that draw drinking water from the Hudson River Estuary for more than 100,000 people in the Town of Esopus, Town of Hyde Park, Town of Lloyd, Town and City of Poughkeepsie, Town and Village of Rhinebeck located in Dutchess and Ulster Counties. These communities are served by five drinking water treatment plants that utilize Hudson River water, operated by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, Village of Rhinebeck (for the Village and Town of Rhinebeck), Town of Esopus, Town of Lloyd and Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (for Hyde Park).  May 31, 2024 marks the sixth anniversary of the Hudson River Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7). To celebrate, we are launching our first annual Water Operators Appreciation Week (May 27 - 31) in order to bring public awareness to the important role of our water treatment plant professionals. We are also hosting a tour of the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility on the Marist College Campus that is open to the public on Friday, May 31 at 10am. Please contact us at [email protected] if you’re interested in attending.
Each day this week, we will feature one of the five public water treatment plants located in the Hudson River estuary, and highlight a member of their staff dedicated to ensuring the delivery of clean, reliable and high quality drinking water to the communities that they serve. Today, we turn the spotlight on the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (DCWWA) - Hyde Park System located in Dutchess County and Richard Winchester, the Director of Operations. Unlike the other drinking water plants within the Hudson 7 watershed, the DCWWA is a public benefit corporation that was established in 1991 by the act of the State at the request of Dutchess County. The authority provides drinking water for nearly 22,000 people throughout Dutchess county including the Town of Hyde Park, a voting member of the Hudson 7. The DCWWA-Hyde Park water system’s water source is the Hudson River, and serves approximately 6,928 persons through 1,258 service connections. The facility is a conventional filtration plant that consists of a raw water pumping station located by the main treatment plant. The raw water station pumps water from the Hudson River to the treatment facility approximately one-half mile away. We were very happy that Richard was able to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. What is your title and what do you do? How long have you been in your position? I am the Director of Operations for the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority. We own and operate 18 drinking water treatment and distribution systems as well as 8 wastewater collection and treatment systems. My role is to oversee operations across all 26 systems, which involves training and managing new operators, working with engineers to design system improvements, corresponding with regulatory agencies, and managing budgets for the systems to provide dependable water treatment services. I have held my current position for 6 years and have been in the field for 32 years in total. How many people do you provide drinking water for in your community? Our drinking water systems serve around 22,000 people. How did you come to choose a career in drinking water? I wanted a career in which I could use my mechanical skills to help people in my community. It’s often taken for granted, but someone needs to be there to make sure that drinking water is safe and reliable. In my role, I also work with wastewater treatment systems, which gives me an opportunity to help protect the environment in addition to public health. What do you appreciate about your job? I enjoy creative problem-solving, and there are lots of opportunities for that as an operator and as a manager. I also appreciate sharing my knowledge and experience with a new generation of operators. There is also a lot of job security since people will always need drinking water. What advice do you have for young people considering the same career? There is a position for every skill set and experience level in water treatment. Every new operator runs into a part of the field that they find appealing, whether it’s the mechanics, the chemistry, the reporting, or something else. The most important thing is to be open to learning and being committed to doing your best work. My advice is to remember that people are depending on you and your work is important, but you aren’t in it alone. There’s a huge field of dedicated professionals who are ready and willing to help you improve, so be open to asking questions. ### About the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7): The Hudson 7 is a collaboration of the mid-Hudson municipalities and counties that draw drinking water from the Hudson River Estuary for more than 100,000 people in the Town of Esopus, Town of Hyde Park, Town of Lloyd, Town and City of Poughkeepsie, Town and Village of Rhinebeck located in Dutchess and Ulster Counties. These communities are served by five drinking water treatment plants that utilize Hudson River water, operated by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, Village of Rhinebeck (for the Village and Town of Rhinebeck), Town of Esopus, Town of Lloyd and Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (for Hyde Park).  May 31, 2024 marks the sixth anniversary of the Hudson River Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7). To celebrate, we are launching our first annual Water Operators Appreciation Week (May 27 - 31) in order to bring public awareness to the important role of our water treatment plant professionals. We are also hosting a tour of the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility on the Marist College Campus that is open to the public on Friday, May 31 at 10am. Please contact us at [email protected] if you’re interested in attending.
Each day this week, we will feature one of the five public water treatment plants located in the Hudson River estuary, and highlight a member of their staff dedicated to ensuring the delivery of clean, reliable and high quality drinking water to the communities that they serve. Today, we turn the spotlight on the Town of Esopus’s Port Ewen Water District, located in Ulster County and Tim Byron, Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator. The Port Ewen Water district serves a population of around 4500 people and has 1500 service connections that are supplied by surface water from the Hudson River, its primary and currently its only drinking water source. The Roger Mabie Water Treatment Plant where drinking water is processed is located at 131 River Road in Ulster Park and is pumped into the distribution system and a 2-million gallon water storage facility located at the southern end of the district. We were very happy that Tim was able to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. What is your title and what do you do? How long have you been in your position? I am a Water Treatment Plant Operator at the Port Ewen Water Treatment Plant in the Town of Esopus. I have been in the drinking water business for 20 years, and have worked for the town of Esopus for 19 years. How did you come to choose a career in drinking water? I became interested in the drinking water field after some conversations with my wife's uncle Bob. He worked for a large water company at the time, and told me about the fine career he had made for himself. The job security and constant need for clean drinking water were two of the factors that convinced me to give it a chance. My first job in the field was working for Camo Pollution Control in Wappingers Falls, NY. When a position opened up at the Port Ewen Plant one year later, I jumped on the opportunity to work closer to home. What do you appreciate about your job? I appreciate many things about my job. Having a reliable job that is consistent day in and day out is certainly important to me! Running the daily operations of the treatment plant, while maintaining the buildings / grounds of the property, always provide enough work to keep us busy. Here in the town of Esopus, the water department is involved in reading meters, marking water and sewer lines in our district, maintaining and repairing the water and sewer distribution systems as well as running the water plant. My coworkers and boss are always willing to provide me with help whenever I need it, and are a pleasure to work with. When I get overwhelmed at times, all it takes is a brief look out at the Hudson River, and I realize that I'm where I need to be. The outgoing tide is pretty good at taking my troubles out to sea right along with it. What advice do you have for young people considering the same career? I have told quite a few people about the benefits of a career in water treatment. The young people that the town of Esopus has recently hired, have all heard me say that this career will be as fulfilling as they want to make it. The potential is there for advancement, and there is schooling available to get them as far up the ladder as they want to go. I can't think of a better long term career for a young person who is looking for a stable job, with meaning, purpose, and the opportunity to provide generations of families with clean drinking water from our Hudson River. ### About the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7): The Hudson 7 is a collaboration of the mid-Hudson municipalities and counties that draw drinking water from the Hudson River Estuary for more than 100,000 people in the Town of Esopus, Town of Hyde Park, Town of Lloyd, Town and City of Poughkeepsie, Town and Village of Rhinebeck located in Dutchess and Ulster Counties. These communities are served by five drinking water treatment plants that utilize Hudson River water, operated by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, Village of Rhinebeck (for the Village and Town of Rhinebeck), Town of Esopus, Town of Lloyd and Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (for Hyde Park).  May 31, 2024 marks the sixth anniversary of the Hudson River Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7). To celebrate, we are launching our first annual Water Operators Appreciation Week (May 27 - 31) in order to bring public awareness to the important role of our water treatment plant professionals. We are also hosting a tour of the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility on the Marist College Campus that is open to the public on Friday, May 31 at 10am. Please contact us at [email protected] if you’re interested in attending.
Each day this week, we will feature one of the five public water treatment plants located in the Hudson River estuary, and highlight a member of their staff dedicated to ensuring the delivery of clean, reliable and high quality drinking water to the communities that they serve. Today, we turn the spotlight on the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facilities (PWTF) located in Dutchess County and Keane Curtis, one of the PWTF’s Licensed Water Treatment Operators. The PWTF is owned and operated by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie. Located on the banks of the Hudson River on the Marist College campus, they provide drinking water for 80,000 individuals within the City of Poughkeepsie, Town of Poughkeepsie, the Dutchess County Water Authority, and the Town of Hyde Park. The PWTF holds regularly scheduled joint water board meetings on the first Tuesday of every month at the Water Treatment Facility. Minutes and information reviewed at those meetings are available on their website: www.pokwater.com As Keane is currently working overnight shifts, we were very happy that he was able to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. What is your title and what do you do? How long have you been in your position? I am a Licensed Water Treatment Operator as of January of 2024. How many people do you provide drinking water for in your community? We provide water for roughly 80,000 residents, and growing. Our water customers live in the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, although we deliver Hudson River drinking water to people who live as far away from our plant as Wappingers Falls. Some of our customers purchase and sell the drinking water we process to Fishkill and beyond. How did you come to choose a career in drinking water? I was born and raised in the City of Poughkeepsie and attended the public school there. Following a few years at the Dutchess County College, I took a job working for the Public Works Department in sanitation in Poughkeepsie for about five months, when I saw an advertisement to be trained and to work as a water treatment operator for the PWTF. My grandfather, who is a environmental engineer based in Albany, told me how important this job was and encouraged me to take a chance and apply. What do you appreciate about your job? I feel like I am making a difference everyday. There is a direct impact when the water comes into the plant to adjust and influence things like PH and Chlorine before it goes out to our customers. I work 12-hour shifts (on a rotating schedule) performing water testing every 2-hours. We are a team of seven - the ones making things happen. We show up to work no matter if there’s a holiday or a snowstorm. We are a 24-7, 365 day a year operation. These long shifts can be tough on our team who have children, and especially those with newborns, but we work together to support our colleagues and we always make it work. I also appreciate having been trained while working side by side with other operators. The training was very thorough and significant, and many of those training me had worked at the PWTF for 7- 24-years. One of the first questions I would ask was, “How long have you worked there?” All of the answers were “More than 7-years.” That said a lot about the PWTF and its staff. I knew it would be a great place to work, and it is. What advice do you have for young people considering the same career? Take the same chance that I did, and when you do, take a lot of notes! Be patient, as you won’t understand everything you are being taught in the first year. It’s a learning journey. There are always new things that come down the pike such as policies and laws, so it’s important to be ready to adapt in any situation. ### About the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7): The Hudson 7 is a collaboration of the mid-Hudson municipalities and counties that draw drinking water from the Hudson River Estuary for more than 100,000 people in the Town of Esopus, Town of Hyde Park, Town of Lloyd, Town and City of Poughkeepsie, Town and Village of Rhinebeck located in Dutchess and Ulster Counties. These communities are served by five drinking water treatment plants that utilize Hudson River water, operated by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, Village of Rhinebeck (for the Village and Town of Rhinebeck), Town of Esopus, Town of Lloyd and Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (for Hyde Park).  May 31, 2024 marks the sixth anniversary of the Hudson River Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7). To celebrate, we are launching our first annual Water Operators Appreciation Week (May 27 - 31) in order to bring public awareness to the important role of our water treatment plant professionals. We are also hosting a tour of the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility on the Marist College Campus that is open to the public on Friday, May 31 at 10am. Please contact us at [email protected] if you’re interested in attending.
Each day this week, we will feature one of the five public water treatment plants located in the Hudson River estuary, and highlight a member of their staff dedicated to ensuring the delivery of clean, reliable and high quality drinking water to the communities that they serve. Today, we turn the spotlight on the Village of Rhinebeck Water Department located in Dutchess County and Bryan Alix, Chief Water Plant Operator. Rhinebeck’s water system serves approximately 6,000 people through 1,835 accounts for residents living in both the Village and Town of Rhinebeck. Their water comes from the Hudson River and is pumped into a state-of-the-art water treatment plant off of Slate Dock Road in the Hamlet of Rhinecliff, just south of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. It is owned and operated by the Village of Rhinebeck under the continuous supervision of the Dutchess County Department of Health and the New York State Health Department. We are pleased that Bryan was able to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. What is your title and what do you do? How long have you been in your position? I've been working for the Rhinebeck Water Department for over 10 years and have been the Chief Water Plant Operator for 7 years. We provide water to 6000 people including schools, nursing homes and Northern Dutchess Hospital. How did you come to choose a career in drinking water? The way I got into this career is simple. I found a job opening, applied and was hired. It was one of the best decisions of my life. What do you appreciate about your job? There are three main reasons I appreciate the job: Service to the Community: I find fulfillment in providing an essential service to the community. I understand the critical role clean water plays in public health and safety and take pride in ensuring that people have access to safe and reliable water; Technical Skills Development: Water utility workers often develop a wide range of technical skills related to water treatment, distribution systems, plumbing, and equipment maintenance, which can be valuable for personal and professional growth; Problem Solving: We often face diverse challenges, from repairing water mains to troubleshooting complex treatment systems. The problem-solving aspect of our work can be intellectually stimulating and rewarding. What advice do you have for young people considering the same career? This job is what you make of it. You can start in an entry level position and work your way up to the top. The water industry is dynamic, with advancements in technology, regulations, and best practices. This provides opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development which opens the door for many possibilities within this career. ### About the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7): The Hudson 7 is a collaboration of the mid-Hudson municipalities and counties that draw drinking water from the Hudson River Estuary for more than 100,000 people in the Town of Esopus, Town of Hyde Park, Town of Lloyd, Town and City of Poughkeepsie, Town and Village of Rhinebeck located in Dutchess and Ulster Counties. These communities are served by five drinking water treatment plants that utilize Hudson River water, operated by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, Village of Rhinebeck (for the Village and Town of Rhinebeck), Town of Esopus, Town of Lloyd and Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (for Hyde Park).  Photo courtesy: The Poughkeepsie Journal Media Contact: Hudson 7: Rebecca Martin, Source Water Protection Coordinator [email protected] 845-750-7295
Mid-Hudson Valley – The Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council, known as the Hudson 7, will celebrate its six year anniversary by launching its first annual Water Operators Appreciation Week May 27 - 31st. The event serves to show appreciation to the dedication of the highly trained operators, technicians and other specialists who play an essential role in providing safe and reliable water to their communities. The council will feature a water operator profile daily from each of the five drinking water plants within the Hudson 7, and host a tour of the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility (PWTF) located on the Marist College Campus at 3431 North Rd, in Poughkeepsie on Friday, May 31st from 10am - 12pm. The Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council, known as the Hudson 7, is a coalition of seven municipalities and two counties in the mid-Hudson region that draw drinking water from the Hudson River: The City and Town of Poughkeepsie; Village and Town of Rhinebeck; the Towns of Esopus, Hyde Park and Lloyd; and Dutchess and Ulster counties. For the past six years, Hudson 7 has been working diligently to ensure the safety of our communities’ drinking water. Its five public water treatment plants, at Highland, Hyde Park, Port Ewen, Poughkeepsie and Rhinebeck, serve 106,000 residents, three hospitals, three colleges, and major regional employers, providing safe water for human consumption, firefighting, industry, and more. Since the council began to meet in 2018, it has taken on tough issues to protect the Hudson River as a drinking water source. With a commitment from local municipal and county leaders, technical advisors, water treatment plant staff, non-profit organizations and agencies, some of the issues that it has addressed include transmission cables, Hudson River anchorages, toxic substances such as coal tar and PCBs and more. The council continues to develop an actionable plan with support by the state’s Drinking Water Source Protection program to prioritize projects that will improve water quality. “It’s important for the Hudson 7 to shine a spotlight on our water treatment operators, and the critical function that water treatment plays in the protection of public health, and the essential work that they and their teams do everyday. The Hudson 7 appreciates their work and ongoing contributions to the wellbeing of our communities, and the 100,000 people who rely on the Hudson River drinking water supply.” said Mayor Gary Bassett of the Village of Rhinebeck and the chair of the Hudson 7. “Our core mission is to protect the source of our drinking water, the Hudson River Estuary. High-quality source water, effective treatment, and consistent distribution are keys to ensuring that we deliver healthy water to our communities, and that communities trust the tap water we provide. We are grateful for our plant operators and hope our annual event will help to inspire a whole new generation to choose a career in drinking water.” “It’s easy to take our faucets and spigots and showers for granted–but really it’s the dedicated system operators who work night and day to ensure our water is clean, safe, and protected.” said Supervisor Rebecca Edwards of the Town of Poughkeepsie. “They work incredibly hard, and the Joint Water Plant is one of the great prides of Poughkeepsie. It’s an honor to celebrate Randy Alstadt and our plant operators, and all that they do for our community.” "We appreciate the diligent efforts of the Hudson 7 Council. Since its inception, Hudson 7 has allowed our municipalities to become aware of the many factors that align with protecting our drinking water in real-time, and I couldn't be more confident that our water meets the highest standards with Hudson 7 at the helm. It is dire that we protect one of our greatest resources, the Hudson River," said Supervisor Al Torreggiani of the Town of Hyde Park. "People should take advantage of the upcoming tours of our treatment plants, the design and operations of the facilities are amazing to see in action, as are the 0perators and teams that run them seven days a week." “Regionalization and collaboration between the members of the Hudson 7 has had a significant impact over the last six years.” said Plant Administrator Randy Alstadt of the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility. “Not only with respect to the important objective of raising awareness around critical threats to our water supply, but also in terms of positive outcomes related to specific projects.” The Hudson 7 meets monthly on the second Wednesday of each month (except for December) at 5:00pm. The hybrid meeting is live streamed on its YouTube channel, and meets in person at the PWTF in the City of Poughkeepsie. For more information, please visit: Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7) Fact Sheet in 2024 During the April Hudson 7 council meeting, Riverkeeper's Science Director Shannon Roback provided a helpful presentation on PCBs and Drinking Water. This was especially important as the Hudson 7 waits for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) release of its draft third five-year review (FYR) report of the Hudson River PCBs Superfund site to determine whether or not the dredging remedy is achieving key PCB-reduction targets established in the 2002 Record of Decision. The Hudson 7 is fully engaged on Hudson River PCBs having both a primary (Randy Alstadt, H7 Technical Advisor, Treatment Plant Operations) and alternate (Dorothy DiNobile, Technical Advisor, Laboratory Analysis) representatives serving on the Hudson River PCB Superfund site Community Advisory Group (CAG) that meets periodically. The council will ask its Water Treatment Plant Committee to compile data from plant influent that shows PCB concentration going into facilities in preparation for the FYR public comment period. "If we have that data available, we can use it when the time comes." said Hudson 7 Chairman and Mayor of the Village of Rhinebeck Gary Bassett.  What is the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7) ?
The Hudson 7 is a collaboration of the mid-Hudson municipalities and counties that draw drinking water from the Hudson River Estuary for more than 100,000 people in the Town of Esopus, Town of Hyde Park, Town of Lloyd, Town and City of Poughkeepsie, Town and Village of Rhinebeck located in Dutchess and Ulster Counties. These communities are served by five drinking water treatment plants that utilize Hudson River water, operated by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, Village of Rhinebeck (for the Village and Town of Rhinebeck), Town of Esopus, Town of Lloyd and Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (for Hyde Park). What makes the Hudson 7 important and unique? The Hudson 7 is the first intermunicipal council of its kind in the history of the Hudson River. It provides attention and advocacy to ensure that water protection is a primary goal, amid competing uses of the Hudson River. How did the Hudson 7 come about? The concept was the brainchild of the Village of Rhinebeck Mayor Gary Bassett and Riverkeeper’s Dan Shapley. At a meeting on the banks of the Rondout Creek, they decided to reach out to each of the other communities that rely on the Hudson River as a drinking water source, and develop a platform that would encourage a collaboration between the five drinking water treatment plants. What are the source waters for the Hudson 7? The source waters for the Hudson 7 is the stretch of the Hudson River roughly between the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge and the Mid-Hudson Bridge; however, the land area that influences water there is vast. The Hudson River watershed is 13,400 square miles, encompassing much of southeastern New York State, and smaller portions of Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut. Much of this watershed is “upstream” of the intakes of the Hudson River intakes, and because the river is tidal, water flows both ways. Based on NYS Department of Health Source Water Assessments developed as a requirement of the Safe Drinking Water Act in the early 2000s, Dutchess County created this map to show the portion of the river and its watershed that was thought most important water for Hudson 7 communities. In 2021, the Hudson 7 communities were selected to participate in the Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2), a locally led, state-supported program that empowers municipalities to take action to improve and protect their public water sources and surrounding environment. The program offers free technical assistance to develop and implement community-specific drinking water source protection plans. The effort is focused in part on defining different geographic areas that are relevant to different types of potential contamination concerns. We expect that through the focus of the Hudson 7 on source water protection, we will continually refine understanding of the complexities related to potential contamination sources at different distances from our intakes. When did the first Hudson 7 organizational meeting take place? The first organizational meeting of the Hudson 7 took place on July 10, 2017 with Mayor Gary Bassett (Village of Rhinebeck), Randy Alstadt, (City of Poughkeepsie), Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia (Town of Rhinebeck), Supervisor Diane McCord (Town of Esopus), Supervisor-elect Shannon Harris (Town of Esopus), Water Superintendent Don Kiernan (Town of Esopus), Board member Bill Carlos (Town of Poughkeepsie), Supervisor Jay Baisley (Town of Poughkeepsie), Neil Curri (Town of Lloyd ECC), Board member and Deputy Supervisor Emily Svenson (Town of Hyde Park), Dan Shapley and Rebecca Martin (Riverkeeper). An informal collaboration began with Riverkeeper to produce a report using Riverkeeper’s “Drinking Source Water Protection Scorecard” to develop recommendations. That report, authored by the Center for Watershed Protection and commissioned by Riverkeeper with funding from the Park Foundation, was released in February, 2018. Forming an intermunicipal council was among the top recommendations of the report, with a focus for the long term protection of the Hudson River as a drinking water source. The NYS Drinking Water Source Protection Program, which didn’t then exist, is now guiding the creation of a source water protection plan for the Hudson 7, building on the Scorecard report. When was the intermunicipal agreement for the Hudson 7 established? The Hudson 7 intermunicipal council representing the seven municipalities that draw drinking water from the Hudson River was officially formed on May 31, 2018 when all seven municipalities gathered to sign an intermunicipal agreement and bylaws with a ceremony at Marist College’s historic Cornell Boathouse on the banks of the river in Poughkeepsie. The Hudson 7 has met monthly since then. What are the Hudson 7’s goals? The Hudson 7 has outlined its goals each year since 2020. In the Hudson 7 Bylaws, the council’s function is to do the following:
Who are the voting members of the Hudson 7? The Hudson 7 voting members currently include one primary representative and one alternate member from the seven (7) municipalities and two (2) counties for a term of two years (Dutchess and Ulster County became voting members of the Hudson 7 in the summer of 2022, bringing the council voting members to nine). The primary representative is an elected official. The alternate representative may be an elected official, an employee or contractor of the municipality, a resident of the municipality, or another appropriate representative. Both primary and alternative representatives are always invited to attend the monthly council meetings. When the primary representative is not available to meet in person, the alternative representative, if available, will vote on behalf of the municipality/county. Please read the Hudson 7 Bylaws for more information. Who are the non-voting members of the Hudson 7? The council may include other non-municipal entities or individuals as non-voting members. Non-voting members also include pro bono technical advisors with various topics of expertise from agencies, entities or individuals that can assist in the implementation of source water protection actions. Where does the council meet for their monthly meetings? The Hudson 7 council’s monthly meeting is hybrid, held at the Poughkeepsie Water Treatment Facility (PWTF) located on the Marist College campus and on zoom. The Hudson 7 has a YouTube channel where it streams its monthly meetings live for the public to view in real time. Recordings are also available at the YouTube channel. What constitutes a quorum during the Hudson 7’s monthly meetings? A quorum, consisting of a majority of the voting primary or alternate membership, is required for the council to vote on an action. With a total of nine (9) voting members, five (5) voting members must be in-person at the PWTF for the council to vote on any agenda items. How does the Hudson 7 make decisions? At any meeting of the council, the general principles of parliamentary procedure, or Robert’s Rules of Order, are observed. The council is governed by its bylaws that were adopted in August of 2019 with amendments along the way. Each municipality and county has one vote, which may be exercised during the council’s hybrid meetings, by the designated primary representative, or in their absence, by the designated alternate representative. All actions taken by the council shall be by an affirmative vote of the majority of the total voting members. How can I track the Hudson 7’s work history? The Hudson 7 shares all of its agenda, minutes, key source materials and video from its monthly meetings located on its website under the meetings page tab. Notable press is also available. The Hudson 7 recently released a motions document that tracks its motions since it started to meet officially in 2018 to present. Does the Hudson 7 have committees? Yes. The council forms committees, to work in conjunction with the council, as necessary to carry out the functions and goals of the council. Responsibilities of each committee are determined by the council at the time each committee is formed. A committee may include voting members and non-voting members of the council and any other non-council member appointed to the committee by the council to fulfill the charge of the committee and to obtain public input and participation in ongoing activities. Currently, the council has several working committees that include Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2), Hudson River Anchorages, Water Treatment Plant Operator and Organizational Structure. The Source Water Protection Coordinator is currently creating materials on all of the Hudson 7’s committee and campaign work to share with the council and the public. Does the Hudson 7 have any funding currently? All seven municipalities and two counties have contributed to fund the council’s first Source Water Protection Coordinator in the summer of 2023 for at least three years. The total amount contributed between nine entities is $75,000 per year. The council hired Rebecca Martin as a part-time consultant, who will develop a work plan for the council to approve each year that she remains in the position. These documents are all public facing, and can be found on the Hudson 7’s about page on the council’s website. Dutchess County also made a contribution of $19,999 to fund a lawyer specifically to help the Hudson 7 create a not-for-profit organization and to re-write its Bylaws to reflect its new organizational structure. That work is ongoing. Whatever remaining county funds designated for this task will sunset at the end of 2024. How can the public participate? The Hudson 7 council meetings provide public comment at the beginning of its monthly meetings in person, on zoom or in writing. Hudson 7 meetings are also live streamed on the council’s YouTube page. You can find this information on the Hudson 7’s website meeting page. |
Hudson 7 adminRebecca Martin, Source Water Protection Coordinator Archives
August 2024
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