 May 31, 2025, marks the seventh anniversary of the Hudson River Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7). To celebrate, we’re proud to host our second annual Water Operator Appreciation Week from May 26–30. This year’s theme, “Stronger Together: Honoring Hudson 7’s Water Operators and Shared Services,” highlights the vital collaboration among water professionals and their essential role in protecting public health and providing safe, clean drinking water.
Each day this week, we’re spotlighting one of the five public water treatment plants along the Hudson River estuary and recognizing a dedicated team member whose work ensures reliable service to our communities. Today’s spotlight: Town of Esopus Water and Sewer Superintendent Nick Butler. Serving approximately 4,500 residents through 1,500 service connections, the Port Ewen Water District draws its drinking water directly from the Hudson River. Water is treated at the Roger Mabie Water Treatment Plant on River Road in Ulster Park, then distributed throughout the district, including to a 2-million-gallon storage facility at its southern end. Nick Butler has been an active member of Hudson 7 since 2020. He plays a key role in the council - as a voting member, committee participant, and hands-on expert. Known for his thoughtful, solutions-focused approach, Nick is a trusted leader in safeguarding the Hudson River as a vital drinking water source. ### Where are you from and how did you get started in your career as a drinking water? I’m from Wappingers Falls, NY, and got into drinking water in 2017 after leaving the military, and I wasn’t sure what was next. I had been a cop and firearms instructor, but I didn’t want to continue in law enforcement as a civilian. I asked Some of my buddies who worked with a private water main replacement company, and they liked the job. I applied, got a call the next day, and that’s how I started. I worked in both water and sewer, but the sewer side wasn’t for me. I was 37 when I started, and learned a lot from experienced operators. It’s been a solid path since. How long have you been working at the Town of Esopus drinking water plant? I’ve been the Water Superintendent in Esopus since June 2021. Before that, I worked for about three years with the Town of Newburgh as a water operator. I got into the field in 2017 through the Camo Pollution Control, and later trained at SUNY Ulster, attending classes two nights a week. I went on to earn four NYS water licenses. I took the job in Esopus to make a bigger impact and be part of something meaningful. How has the Hudson 7 been supportive of your plant, and what have you learned through collaborating with the others using the river as a drinking water source. When I started working for the Town of Esopus, I had the opportunity to train with Don Kiernan (the former Water/Sewer Superintendent in the Town of Esopus, and member of Hudson 7), who introduced me to the Hudson 7. Once I began attending meetings, I was struck by how much ground the group covered - addressing critical issues like CSX train bridges, the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), and raw water protection. It’s a unique and powerful network of river-based water systems, and I’ve never seen anything like it. We’re not just individual municipalities working in isolation - we share knowledge, coordinate responses, and support each other in tackling large-scale challenges. I take what I learn at Hudson 7 meetings back to my team, break it down, and use it to keep communication clear and everyone informed. It’s helped us stay proactive. With CHPE, for instance, we were ready—with talking points, a strategy, and a unified voice - thanks to Hudson 7. At the end of the day, it’s about protecting our drinking water and serving our communities - and we’re stronger when we work together. 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, 2025, marks the seventh anniversary of the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7). To celebrate, we're hosting our second annual Water Operator Appreciation Week from May 27 - 30. This year's theme, "Stronger Together: Honoring Hudson 7’s Water Operators and Shared Services," highlights the essential role of water professionals and their collaboration in delivering clean, safe drinking water. Each day, we’ll feature one of Hudson 7’s five public water treatment plants and spotlight a dedicated team member. Today, we recognize the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facilities (PWTF) in the City of Poughkeepsie and Licensed Water Operator Shane Hunt Sr. The PWTF, jointly owned by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie and located on the Marist College campus, serves 80,000 residents in several communities with their primary drinking water. The facility holds monthly joint board meetings - details and minutes are available at www.pokwater.com. ### Where are you from and how did you get started in your career as a drinking water operator? I grew up in Wappingers Falls, NY, and have lived in Hyde Park, NY for the past eight years with my wife and three sons. My water career began in 2011 when I worked for Severn Trent Services and earned my Grade C Water License. In 2013, I joined JCO Inc., a private water and wastewater company, where I gained extensive experience operating multiple treatment plants and earned my Grade 2A Wastewater License at SUNY Ulster. While I valued my time at JCO Inc., I was ready to pursue greater opportunities, growth, and job security. How long have you been working at the City of Poughkeepsie drinking water plant? While working on my Grade 2A Water License, I decided to take the civil service exam for the City of Poughkeepsie Water Treatment Operator. The timing was incredible - the same week my wife gave birth to our second son and we closed on our first home in Hyde Park, NY, I started working at the Poughkeepsie Water Treatment Facility in 2017. You recently earned your Grade 1A license (congratulations!). What was that process like, and what does this certification mean to you? While in my current position, I wanted to advance my career by earning my Grade 1A Water License. With 10 years of water treatment experience already, the next step was completing the Grade 1 Advanced Operations course—a five-day program offered by the W2 Operator Training Group in Cortland, NY. I also completed a Supervisory Management course online through Michigan State University. The final step was a walkthrough with the Department of Health. Although the process took time, having the flexibility to complete the coursework at my own pace made it much more manageable. Earning my Grade 1A Water Treatment License has allowed me to grow professionally and deepen my expertise in the field. There’s a growing movement to attract more people to careers in water operations. What advice would you offer to others entering or currently working in this field? Water operations is one of the most essential yet often overlooked careers. As a Water Treatment Operator, you play a critical role in protecting the health and wellbeing of your community. It’s a meaningful, hands-on career with opportunities for growth and strong job security. For those already in the field, I encourage you to stay committed to ongoing training and career development. Together, we are the backbone of public health, and the future of clean water depends on dedicated professionals like us. 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, 2025, marks the seventh anniversary of the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7). To celebrate, we're hosting our second annual Water Operator Appreciation Week from May 27 - 30. This year's theme, "Stronger Together: Honoring Hudson 7’s Water Operators and Shared Services," highlights the essential role of water professionals and their collaboration in delivering clean, safe drinking water. Each day, we’ll feature one of Hudson 7’s five public water treatment plants and spotlight a dedicated team member.
Today, we recognize the Village of Rhinebeck water plant and Licensed Water Operator Thomas Mueller. Rhinebeck’s water system serves about 6,000 residents through 1,835 accounts in both the Village and Town of Rhinebeck. The system draws its water from the Hudson River and treats it at a modern facility located off Slate Dock Road in the Hamlet of Rhinecliff, just south of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. The plant is owned and operated by the Village of Rhinebeck under the oversight of the Dutchess County and New York State Departments of Health. ### Where are you from, and how did you get started in your career as a drinking water operator? I was born right here in Rhinebeck - so you could say I’m as local as it gets. I went to school in Red Hook and have lived in the area my whole life, except for the four years I spent serving in the U.S. Air Force. Most of my career has been in the communications field, working in the installation and repair of cable TV, phone, and internet services. After being laid off due to downsizing at my previous job, I started looking for a new opportunity. That’s when the position at the Rhinebeck Water Treatment Plant came up - and it turned out to be a perfect fit. How long have you been working at the Village of Rhinebeck drinking water plant? I’ve now been working at the plant for 2 years and 7 months, and I truly enjoy the work. You played an important role in identifying lead service lines in Rhinebeck’s water distribution system. Can you walk us through what that process involved and what your role was? Having worked in Rhinebeck for the past 17 years, I’m very familiar with the streets, the community, and the general layout of the water distribution system. My experience in locating underground lines has been especially valuable when it comes to identifying water mains. In addition, my strong computer skills allowed me to take the lead on entering data for the lead service line inventory project, which is still ongoing. There’s a growing movement to attract more people to careers in water operations. What advice would you offer to others entering or currently working in this field? Working in water treatment is a meaningful and rewarding career. I encourage anyone to explore this field - it plays a critical role in public health and will always need committed individuals to help ensure our communities have access to clean, safe water. 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, 2025, marks the seventh anniversary of the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7). To celebrate, we're hosting our second annual Water Operator Appreciation Week from May 27 - 30. This year's theme, "Stronger Together: Honoring Hudson 7’s Water Operators and Shared Services," highlights the essential role of water professionals and their collaboration in delivering clean, safe drinking water. Each day, we’ll feature one of Hudson 7’s five public water treatment plants and spotlight a dedicated team member. Today, we recognize the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facilities (PWTF) in the City of Poughkeepsie and Licensed Water Operator Bryan Cussick. The PWTF, jointly owned by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie and located on the Marist College campus, serves 80,000 residents in several communities with their primary drinking water. The facility holds monthly joint board meetings - details and minutes are available at www.pokwater.com. Where are you from and how did you get started in your career as a drinking water operator? I grew up in Hyde Park and still live here today. My journey into water treatment began when I took a civil service test for a Water Treatment Plant Operator Trainee position. A few months later, I received a letter from PWTF inviting me to interview for the trainee role. I clearly remember sitting in their boardroom during the interview, looking out at the beautiful view of the Hudson River. How long have you been working at the City of Poughkeepsie drinking water plant? I started my career here at age 23 and have now been with the company for 17 years. You recently earned your Grade 1A license (congratulations!). What was that process like, and what does this certification mean to you? I began this journey in 2018 by enrolling in the Supervisory Management in Water and Wastewater course through Michigan State University. After completing it in 2019, I was ready to take the Advanced Operations course. Unfortunately, the pandemic put everything on hold, and the course wasn’t available for several years. Finally, in January 2024, I was able to take the Advanced Operations course in Cortland, NY. It was an intense, week-long program packed with information. On the final day, I took the exam - and passing it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. After 16 years in this field, completing this goal was a major personal achievement. Earning this license not only reflects the dedication and hard work I’ve put in, but it also opens up new opportunities that I wouldn't have been qualified for before. There’s a growing movement to attract more people to careers in water operations. What advice would you offer to others entering or currently working in this field? There will always be a need for licensed water operators. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and keep learning - it's how you grow in this field. It may not be the most glamorous job, but there’s real satisfaction in knowing you’re helping provide safe, high-quality drinking water to your community. 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). |
Hudson 7 adminRebecca Martin, Source Water Protection Coordinator Archives
June 2025
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