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 107,000 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.
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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:

• Securing and sharing the public and private grants available to improve water quality in the Hudson River Estuary and its watershed, including water infrastructure and watershed protection projects;  
• Enhancing intergovernmental communication and coordination, providing for opportunities for shared services and a more efficient and cost-effective coordinated approach to implementing current and future source water protection projects; 
• Creating a forum for coordinating agencies and organizations at the municipal, county, regional, state and federal levels; 
• Coordinating long-term watershed stewardship to maintain and improve water quality; and 
• Speaking with a unified voice advocating for common interests, and for sharing the experience and lessons learned with other communities. 

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 present (in-person or remove) 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, all committees (active or inactive) are posted on the Hudson 7's about page.

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.  The total amount contributed between nine entities is $75,000 per year.  The council has hired Rebecca Martin, a former Riverkeeper staff member who helped convene and coordinate the founding of Hudson 7 in 2017 and has been involved with the council since then, as a consultant beginning in 2023. In this role, she helps develop the council's goals, coordinates and advances priority projects, and provides monthly report at council meetings on activities supporting the council's work. 

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. 

​By Paul Malmrose, Hudson 7 Technical Advisor/Engineering
(Click on image above to watch the presentation from 2022)

While climate change and rising sea levels have drawn widespread attention to flooding, another serious and less visible threat is already unfolding.  The salt front is moving farther up estuaries such as the Hudson River. The salt front’s position varies throughout the year, based primarily on the amount of freshwater flowing into the Hudson from upstream and its various tributaries. As sea level rises, the salt front’s position remains variable, but saline water from the ocean effectively pushes farther inland more frequently. Already, during certain drought conditions, water treatment plants issue advisories to alert those on low-sodium diets that their water contains elevated sodium levels, and these episodes often correspond with an increase in complaints about the changing taste of tap water. If salinity levels persist at high concentrations, drinking water may become unsafe or unpalatable unless alternative sources are secured or treatment is implemented–potentially at an astronomical cost.

Since 1900, sea level in the lower Hudson has risen 15 inches.  Sea level along the tidal Hudson is projected to increase by 12 to 17 inches by the 2050s and by 25 to 46 inches by the 2100s compared to a 1995-2014 baseline.  While sea-level rise is increasing, salt intrusion is influenced by multiple factors that make predicting future conditions difficult. For instance, past sea-level rise has not resulted in a notable consistent change in salinity in the mid-Hudson in part because there have also been increases in precipitation and freshwater runoff, which help prevent saline water from pushing farther north. The Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7) – a partnership of seven municipalities and two counties–came together to address emerging threats such as the advancing salt front. Hudson 7 includes the City of Poughkeepsie, the Village of Rhinebeck, the Towns of Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park, Rhinebeck, Esopus and Lloyd, as well as Dutchess and Ulster Counties, collectively serving more than 107,000 people. 

In February 2021, Hudson 7 contacted the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to ask whether any studies had been conducted to determine the effects of sea-level rise on the salt front in the Hudson River. DEC had recognized on its website that the salt front could extend further north in the Hudson River, though much of the public discussion had focused on flooding.  DEC also noted that the United States Geological Survey (USGS) had been collecting data on salt concentrations in the Hudson River, and agreed that a study to better understand the issue would be valuable.  

In January 2022, Hudson 7 contacted environmental experts from Riverkeeper, scientists from the Cary Institute, engineering experts from Tighe & Bond and Jacob Engineering Group, scientists from USGS, professors from Cornell and Marist University, as well as regulators from DEC, the Department of Health (DOH), and drinking water operators from the Hudson Valley.

In February 2022, Hudson 7 organized a meeting with these experts to share information about the advancing salt front. The salt front is defined as the point where chloride concentrations reach 100 mg/L–far below seawater’s 19,000 mg/L. Under both federal and state drinking water standards, chloride limits are classified as a Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level, which relates to drinking water aesthetics such as taste, odor, and color.  Chloride concentrations must remain below 250 mg/L, in order to avoid a salty taste. There are no regulatory limits for sodium, but federal and state health guidelines recommend that sodium concentrations remain below 20 mg/L for individuals on very low-sodium diets, and below 270 mg/L for those on moderately restricted-sodium diets. 

Currently, the City and Town of Poughkeepsie’s water consistently exceeds the 20 mg/L sodium threshold, averaging around 25 mg/L in recent years, with a gradual increase in the annual average over time. During the salt front event of 2025, some high tides had sodium concentration levels that exceeded the 270 mg/L sodium guideline for moderately restricted diets, and chloride concentrations were above the 250 mg/L Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL).  The 2025 salt front event brought the highest chloride concentration on record for the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility (PWTF) at 1,100 mg/L. This is more than three times higher than the recorded chloride concentration of 342 mg/L that occurred during the 1960s drought when the salt front advanced as far north as Kingston. 

Sea-level rise is expected to worsen the problem. These increases could push the salt front farther up the Hudson, potentially affecting all five drinking water treatment plants in the Hudson Valley. Similar concerns have been raised along the Delaware and Savannah Rivers.

In February 2022, Hudson 7 and Riverkeeper submitted written testimony to the New York Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the Executive Budget Proposal for Environmental Conservation, requesting funding to study salt front advancement. As a result, $500,000 was awarded to the USGS to develop a probabilistic model to predict salt front movement. 

At the same time, Hudson 7 organized a series of meetings to define studies and action plans, including:
  

1. Probabilistic Model for Salt Front Prediction – Projecting the location of the salt front and the number of days it may affect drinking water intakes and ecosystems over the next 50 years. 
2. Engineering Study to Develop Solutions for the Advancing Salt Front:  Evaluating potential responses, such as alternative water sources or additional treatment, both of which could be extremely costly. 
3. Ecological Effects of the Advancing Salt: Assessing impacts on Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV), wetlands, and aquatic life. 
   
   

These study scopes were finalized at the Hudson 7 meeting on September 28, 2022, and submitted to DEC.  Following this work, on October 24, 2024, DEC held a kickoff meeting with USGS. The project is now scheduled for completion in September 2027.  This spring, DEC and USGS plan to meet with Hudson 7 and other experts to review scenarios. Additional information is available on the USGS website.

​While the probabilistic model is underway, it represents only the first step. If the model indicates that drinking water will be at risk, communities and water providers can begin the hard work of developing and funding solutions. The model might not show an immediate threat, but sea level rise is almost certain, and increased freshwater flows from precipitation, as well as the river’s geomorphology, are additional factors that will influence salt front conditions. 

The urgency of this issue became unmistakable this past summer when drought conditions reduced river flow, and Atlantic storms pushed salt water farther upriver. As a result, the City of Poughkeepsie had to notify customers on very low-sodium diets to avoid drinking tap water.

As this history shows, Hudson 7 has been addressing the advancing salt front since February 2021–nearly five years ago. With DEC’s first phase of the study expected in September 2027, staying informed about local water conditions is key to protecting drinking water in the years ahead.  

For more on this, read: Hudson 7: Seven Campaigns and Key Actions 2020-2024 (The Advancement of the Salt Front in the Hudson River Due to Climate Change)

An updated analysis shows 107,841 people rely on drinking water drawn from the Hudson River—supporting homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals across communities in Dutchess and Ulster counties, and serving all who live, work, or visit them.

The Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council—known as the Hudson 7—continues to protect a vital regional resource: drinking water drawn from the Hudson River.

During the Council’s February meeting, members heard a presentation from Dan Shapley of Riverkeeper outlining updated estimates of the population served by water systems that treat Hudson River water.

The numbers show the reach of this shared resource is growing. Previously estimated at just over 106,000 people, the updated analysis finds that 107,841 residents now receive drinking water treated from the Hudson River Estuary through systems in the Hudson 7 communities.

These systems include the Poughkeepsies' Water Treatment Facility, the Village of Rhinebeck Water Treatment Plant, the Town of Lloyd Water Plant, the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (DCWWA) and the Roger Mabie Water Treatment Plant in the Town of Esopus. Together, they supply drinking water to communities including the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, Town of Hyde Park, Village and Town of Rhinebeck, Town of Lloyd, Town of Esopus, and several surrounding water districts and systems all within Ulster and Dutchess Counties. 

But the number of residents served tells only part of the story.

In addition to homes, these drinking water systems support businesses, hospitals, colleges, schools, and industries across the region. Institutions such as Marist College or Ulster BOCES, along with countless workplaces and community facilities, depend on this reliable supply of clean drinking water every day.

That means the Hudson 7 is more than a coalition of municipalities—it represents a critical service for everyone who lives, works, studies, or visits these communities. Protecting the quality of Hudson River drinking water safeguards not only public health, but also the economic vitality and essential services that sustain the region.

As the population served continues to grow, the importance of coordinated protection of the Hudson River becomes even clearer. Through collaboration among municipalities and counties, water system operators, partner organizations and the public, the Hudson 7 works to ensure that this shared drinking water source remains clean and reliable for the communities that depend on it.

Because when we protect the Hudson River, we protect the water that sustains more than 107,000 people—and the many institutions and services that make these communities thrive.

Congressman Pat Ryan’s Hudson River Protection Act has been signed into law, marking a victory for the Hudson River and the communities that rely on it for drinking water. The law permanently bans additional barge anchorages on the Hudson, preventing large industrial barges from using the river as a parking lot and reducing the risk of pollution, spills, and habitat damage.  In effect, the bill freezes anchorage locations between Yonkers and Kingston as they were in early 2021.

For the Hudson 7, anchorage policy directly affects water quality and public safety for the more than 100,000 people in seven mid-Hudson municipalities that rely on the Hudson River for drinking water. 

“The Hudson 7 is an intermunicipal council representing seven mid-Hudson municipalities that rely on the Hudson River as a drinking water source for more than 100,000 people in Ulster and Dutchess Counties, and that responsibility demands a precautionary approach to the siting and regulation of activities on the Hudson River,” said Gary Bassett, Chair of the Hudson 7.  “While the Hudson 7 will continue to closely monitor activities that could threaten our drinking water supplies or the river’s critical habitat, today we thank Congressman Ryan for his sustained leadership in advancing the Hudson River Protection Act.”

Hudson 7 will continue to advocate for stronger protections and greater flexibility to safeguard our shared drinking water source.

Presented by Rebecca Martin, Source Water Protection Coordinator, Hudson 7, at the Hudson River Watershed Alliance Conference — October 28, 2025.

On October 28, Hudson 7 Source Water Protection Coordinator Rebecca Martin presented on “The Essential Role of Hudson 7 Volunteer Technical Advisors” during the Hudson River Watershed Alliance (HRWA) Conference. This year’s event, themed “Collaborating Across Boundaries,” was held at the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s Taconic Regional Office in Staatsburg, NY. As always, Emily Vail and the HRWA Board did an incredible job bringing together water professionals, advocates, and community leaders from across the region.  

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​​REVIEW SLIDE DECK

About the Hudson 7
The Hudson 7, officially established in 2018, unites the Town of Esopus, Town of Hyde Park, Town of Lloyd, City and Town of Poughkeepsie, and Village and Town of Rhinebeck, with Dutchess and Ulster Counties joining in 2023. Together, these municipalities provide drinking water to approximately 106,000 people who rely on the Hudson River as their source.

The Hudson 7’s goals are to:

• Protect the Hudson River as a drinking water source.
• Share funding opportunities for clean water infrastructure.
• Strengthen communication between the five treatment plants.
• Coordinate long-term watershed protection and stewardship.
• Speak with one unified voice for clean water.

What Makes the Hudson 7 Unique?
The Hudson 7 is the first intermunicipal council focused on protecting the Hudson River as a drinking water source. It centers drinking water protection in decision-making, empowers local communities along the river, and has helped elevate drinking water protection as a top state and federal priority.

Volunteer Technical Advisors: A Key to Success
Local officials volunteer their time to serve on the Hudson 7, alongside a team of volunteer technical advisors who bring specialized expertise in engineering, science, water quality, communications, and advocacy. These advisors — up to nine, as permitted by the Hudson 7’s bylaws — provide independent, non-binding guidance to support projects, planning, and policy decisions that safeguard the region’s drinking water. Their commitment and collaboration have been instrumental to the Hudson 7’s success.

Key Achievements Supported by Technical Advisors

1. Drinking Water Source Protection (DWSP2) – Establishing state-approved goals for long-term source protection.
2. CHPE Transmission Cable – Advocated for safeguards and route adjustments to protect drinking water intakes.
3. Anchorages Issue – Helped ensure the Hudson River remains safe from new anchorage proposals that threaten water intakes and the environment..
4. Ashokan Releases – Successfully advocated for the inclusion of drinking water and climate impacts in NYC’s SEIS and interim protocols.
5. Salt Front Study – Secured a state-funded study to assess sea-level rise and salinity impacts on drinking water.
6. Coal Tar Remediation – Collaborated with DEC and Central Hudson to ensure safe cleanup near Poughkeepsie’s intake.
7. Spill Preparedness – Partnered with DEC and the Coast Guard on emergency response drills.
8. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) – Coordinated response efforts during the 2024 bloom event to ensure drinking water safety.
   
   

Looking Ahead
​As the Hudson 7 enters its eighth year, it continues to expand partnerships, pursue new initiatives, and strengthen local capacity to protect drinking water at its source. The Hudson 7 meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 5 PM (hybrid format). Meeting materials, recordings, and updates are available at www.hudson7.org.

​(Photos courtesy of Hudson River Watershed Alliance)

​We've compiled the latest information to provide an update, "What You Need to Know About Harmful Algal Blooms and Drinking Water in the Hudson River." Special thanks to Dan Shapley of Riverkeeper for his valuable assistance.

(Photo credit:  Daniel Cohen for Riverkeeper)

​On June 11, the Hudson 7 unanimously passed a resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (Senate Bill 1464 / Assembly Bill 1749).

This important legislation would require packaging producers, not taxpayers, to cover the costs of managing plastic packaging waste. It is a critical step toward reducing plastic pollution, increasing recycling rates, reducing toxic materials in packaging, protecting public health and drinking water, and saving local governments and taxpayers millions of dollars.

Packaging accounts for approximately 40% of New York’s waste stream, much of which is made up of non-recyclable plastics containing harmful chemicals such as PFAS and phthalates. Microplastics and these associated chemicals have been detected in drinking water sources across the state, raising serious health concerns. The Hudson River, a vital drinking water source for over 100,000 people, has also been found to contain these pollutants.

Hudson 7 is a coalition of five public water systems representing seven municipalities and two counties, all of which depend on the Hudson River as their primary drinking water source. Our mission is to work collaboratively to protect this critical resource for the communities we serve.

We support the passage of the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act and urge legislative leaders to prioritize and advance this critical legislation.

The Hudson 7 celebrated seven years of collaborative stewardship on May 29, working to protect drinking water for over 100,000 Hudson Valley residents. To mark the occasion, the Hudson 7 unveiled its Draft Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) Plan at the historic Cornell Boathouse on Marist College’s campus. This marks a major step toward ensuring the long-term safety and sustainability of the region’s shared water source: the Hudson River estuary.

Established in 2018, the Hudson 7 represents seven municipalities from Dutchess and Ulster Counties that draw drinking water directly from the Hudson River. The council is a statewide recognized model for intermunicipal cooperation focused on source water protection.
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“After many years of hard work and collaboration, weare proud to share the draft of our DWSP2 Plan - a roadmap to safeguarding our drinking water in the face of new and growing threats,” said Mayor Gary Bassett (Village of Rhinebeck) and Chair of the Hudson 7. “This is not just a document; it’s a call to action for continued collaboration across sectors and communities.”

The DWSP2 Plan identifies risks to the Hudson 7’s source water,  including contamination from industrial activity and climate change, and outlines practical, science-based strategies to mitigate them. It was developed in collaboration with municipal partners, state agencies, and community stakeholders, with support from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Health (DOH).​

Photo Credit: Dan Shapley

As part of today’s celebration, the Hudson 7 also hosted a special educational session, “How River Changes Affect Treatment,” in partnership with the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility (PWTF) led by Dottie DiNobile and Randy Alstadt, providing Hudson 7 drinking water operators with insights into how shifts in river conditions impact water quality and treatment approaches.

The Hudson 7 sincerely thanks the supporting municipalities and counties, and extends special appreciation to Riverkeeper for its key role in helping establish the council in 2018 and for generously sponsoring the council’s anniversary events. They also thank the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of Health (DOH) for their valuable support for the Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2), an essential initiative to protect the Hudson River as a vital drinking water source for communities. For more information about the Hudson 7 and to learn about the DWSP2 draft plan, visit: https://bit.ly/4jjAyRA

“This past year has once again been a productive and positive experience working with and alongside the Hudson 7,” said Nick Butler, Water and Sewer Superintendent for the Town of Esopus. “As I reflect on our accomplishments, the wealth of information and networking opportunities available to Water Operators within the Hudson 7 community stands out as especially valuable. These connections have led to the development of new relationships and the identification of shared services - truly outstanding.”

“We deeply appreciate the support of the Hudson 7 and the leadership of our municipal partners,” said Jonathan Churins, Executive Director of Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority. “This collaboration strengthens our ability to deliver safe and reliable water services to the communities we serve along the Hudson River.”
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The dedication of the Hudson 7 reinforces the vital role our operators play every day,” said Thomas Legrand, Chairman of the Board of Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority. “We’re proud to work together in protecting public health and safeguarding one of our region’s most critical resources.”

“I am proud of this partnership and the status we have achieved in being an effective advocate for a healthy Hudson River ensuring the quality of our drinking water,” said Elizabeth Spinzia, Supervisor of the Town of Rhinebeck. “Together we have been able to map out a plan for continuing our work in the future” 

“The Hudson 7’s work has resulted in a paradigm shift in the region, making the protection of drinking water a high priority,” said Dan Shapley, Senior Director of Advocacy, Policy and Planning, Riverkeeper. “The completion of its draft Drinking Water Source Protection Plan is an historic first: While there have been many actions over decades to protect the river, never before has drinking water protection been the explicit focus of such a plan. Riverkeeper is proud to have played a role in founding and supporting the Hudson 7, and in drafting this first-of-its-kind plan.”  
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About the Hudson 7: The Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7) is a partnership of seven municipalities and two counties - including the Town and City of Poughkeepsie, Town and Village of Rhinebeck, Towns of Esopus, Hyde Park, Lloyd and Ulster and Dutchess Counties -  working together to protect the source of drinking water drawn from the Hudson River for over 100,000 residents.

About Riverkeeper: Riverkeeper protects and restores the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguards drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science and law.