 2025 has been a busy and productive year for the Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council (Hudson 7). By advancing our long-term priorities, responding to river events, and welcoming new technical expertise, the Council continues to strengthen collaboration among municipalities, state and federal partners, and community stakeholders to protect the Hudson River as a drinking water source for more than 100,000 people. These accomplishments would not be possible without the yearly fees contributed by each Hudson 7 municipality and county. This year’s achievements reflect years of investment and strategic work to build the Hudson 7 into the effective regional council that it is today. The Source Water Protection Coordinator has been central to advancing these long-term goals, many of which were established in 2023.
We are also pleased to share that the Hudson 7’s 501(c)(3) request has been approved. In 2026, we’ll begin exploring next steps to maintain the council’s core work and launch a separate supporting organization to expand funding options for this critical mission. This next phase will continue to be driven by our water treatment plant operators and guided by the action items in our Drinking Water Source Protection (DWSP2) plan. Starting the Year: Long-Term Planning with Captain John Lipscomb We kicked off 2025 with a presentation from Hudson 7 Technical Advisor Captain John Lipscomb, who outlined the key long-term issues for the Hudson 7 to address in 2025 and beyond. Drawing on decades of experience on the Hudson River, Captain Lipscomb brought attention to several critical priorities, including the risks posed by spills, and the roughly 90 million gallons of landfill leachate delivered each year to sewer treatment plants along the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. These plants are not equipped to filter toxic chemicals, resulting in the discharge of these contaminants into these rivers that serve as drinking water supplies. He also noted the Council’s unique ability to achieve meaningful outcomes and reaffirmed his commitment to continue collaborating with the Hudson 7. March–August: Taking Action and Strengthening Partnerships Between March and August, the Hudson 7 was busy connecting with state and federal partners, sharing information, and advocating for drinking water protection. Following Captain Lipscomb’s January presentation, we sent letters to CSX Transportation requesting a complete inventory of rail bridges, to the U.S. Coast Guard on ACP updates, spill risks, and vessel safety, and to NYSDEC, requesting water quality presentations and urging new rules for on-site landfill leachate treatment. We also organized a series of important discussions and partnerships this year, including the NYSDEC Lower Hudson Monitoring Review, a briefing with U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York, support for the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA), engagement with Central Hudson Gas & Electric on their MGP Pre-Design Investigation, and a grant partnership with Dutchess County through the submission of a Local Stewardship Planning Grant Application through the Hudson River Estuary Program. A major milestone this year was Captain John Lipscomb’s appointment as the Hudson 7 representative to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Training & Exercise and Response & Recovery subcommittees. This first-of-its-kind appointment reflects years of relationship-building with the Coast Guard and promises to greatly strengthen the region’s emergency preparedness and interagency coordination efforts. May: Celebrating Seven Years and Releasing the Draft Drinking Water Source Protection (DWSP2) Plan May was a month of celebration, as we marked our 7th anniversary at Marist College’s historic Cornell Boathouse. To commemorate the occasion, we unveiled the Draft Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) Plan, an important step toward protecting the long-term safety of our shared water source. The DWSP2 Plan identifies key risks to the Hudson River estuary—including contamination, climate impacts, and emerging threats—and lays out practical, science-based strategies to address them. The anniversary event also featured a first-of-its-kind educational session for Hudson 7 water treatment plant operators, led by Dottie DiNobile and Randy Alstadt of the Poughkeepsies’ Water Treatment Facility, offering valuable insights on how changing river conditions affect treatment. We also launched our second annual Water Operators Appreciation Week, shining a spotlight on the essential work of drinking water plant operators across the Hudson 7. The Council thanks our water operators, municipal and county partners, Riverkeeper for sponsoring the anniversary event, and DEC and DOH for their continued support of this critical work. Draft DWSP2 in Review The DWSP2—a cornerstone of our work moving forward—is now in its third review with New York State. Once finalized, it will serve as a roadmap for protecting source waters through initiatives such as coordinating spill drills with the U.S. Coast Guard, expanding watershed monitoring, strengthening collaboration among municipalities, and addressing risks from anchorages, leachate, wastewater, and rail infrastructure. We expect approval soon and are preparing to incorporate its recommendations into our 2025–2028 Work Plan. Read more about the draft plan here: https://bit.ly/4jjAyRA September–October: Technical Expertise & River Response - From a Salt Front to HABs and Coal Tar This fall, the Hudson 7 focused on building technical expertise and responding to events on the river. Robert M. Scott, Operations Engineer at the Queensbury Water Plant, joined the Council from the upper Hudson River. We learned that the Queensbury Water Plant draws its raw water directly from the Hudson River near Sherman Island Dam and supplies approximately 40,000 residents in Queensbury and the surrounding communities of Moreau, Kingsbury, and Hudson Falls. It also serves as a backup supply for Glens Falls and Fort Edward. Similarly, the Saratoga Water Authority draws from this stretch of the river, providing water to multiple communities across Saratoga County. We were also pleased to welcome Jonathan Churins, Executive Director of the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (DCWWA), as Technical Advisor for Water Infrastructure & GIS. Jonathan’s expertise in data, mapping, and system planning strengthens the Council’s technical capacity. Additionally, Eric Weinstock, a geologist and technical advisor, became a voting member representing the Town of Hyde Park, further expanding the Hudson 7’s expertise and decision-making capabilities. The council also had the opportunity to showcase the essential role of our technical advisors during the Hudson River Watershed Alliance annual meeting at Norrie Point in October, with Rebecca Martin, Source Water Protection Coordinator, delivering the presentation. Following a summer drought, we witnessed another salt front, with impacts to Poughkeepsie that have only just recently resolved. Riverkeeper provided briefings on Indian Point, to share updates with the council regarding the recent federal court decision striking down the Save the Hudson Act— a New York law that had prevented the dumping of 1.5 million gallons of radioactive wastewater from Indian Point into the Hudson River and that the Hudson 7 engaged on back in 2023. At the same time, a Harmful Algal Bloom (HABs)—the first of its kind in our reach of the river—tested the Council’s communication and collaboration systems. While it revealed areas for future improvement, our system performed successfully. Around the same time, Clearwater documented a coal tar sheen near Poughkeepsie, which the Hudson 7 monitored for several months. As a result, the Council formally requested that NYSDEC convene immediate meetings with Central Hudson to address both short- and long-term MGP site containment concerns. November: USCG Response & Preparedness Deep DiveIn November, the Hudson 7 hosted an in-depth presentation from United States Coast Guard Sector New York, featuring Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO-2) Rory Jenkins, Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Gregory R. Hersch, and Commander (CDR) Brandon Aten. The session was historic and provided an opportunity to engage directly with the Coast Guard. As they stated during their presentation, the key to effective spill response is meeting the people before an incident occurs, not during it—a principle the Hudson 7 takes seriously as we continue strengthening regional preparedness. See you all next year! We look forward to continuing our work in 2026—building on our progress, advancing the DWSP2, and safeguarding the Hudson River as a vital source of drinking water for our communities. If you'd like to join on our mailing list, please contact Rebecca Martin, Source Water Protection Coordinator at: hudson7info (at) gmail.com  The Hudson 7 visits the Dutchess County Water/Wastewater Authority (DCWWA) that uses the Hudson River to provide drinking water for the Town of Hyde Park in the fall, 2024. 2024 has been a year of significant milestones for the Hudson 7. We’ve achieved key objectives in our ongoing work, launched several new initiatives to strengthen support for Hudson 7 drinking water treatment plants, and solidified our position as a leading voice in advocating for improved water quality and the protection of the Hudson River as a drinking water source. These accomplishments reflect our dedication to ensuring clean drinking water for our communities, protecting our vital water resources, and addressing emerging challenges head-on. None of this would have been possible without the continued support of our communities and partners. Thank you for your dedication and partnership. We look forward to what we can achieve together in the years ahead.
We provided a full presentation in November to show the council's accomplishments in 2024 that is available to VIEW. Below are some of the highlights. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our work, please contact us at: hudson7info (at) gmail.com. Goal 1: “Work with a lawyer to research and identify the appropriate non-profit structure and bylaws for the organization” In 2024, the Hudson 7 created a task force to explore potential organizational structures and provide recommendations to the council for future direction. After a thorough evaluation, the task force concluded that the Hudson 7 should pursue the establishment of a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization while maintaining the existing joint municipal board structure under its Intermunicipal Agreement and Memorandum of Agreement. By late fall, all necessary paperwork was submitted to the state, setting the stage for the Hudson 7 to become its own 501(c)(3) organization in the coming year. This move aims to enhance the council’s ability to secure funding, expand its initiatives, and strengthen its commitment to protecting regional drinking water sources. Goal 2: “Develop, evaluate and review all necessary policies and procedures for the Hudson 7 and its committees for the council to discuss and adopt.” In 2024, the Hudson 7 enhanced its efforts to engage with the public and increase transparency. A public-facing motions document was created to showcase the council's activities and decisions since its inception in 2018, providing easy access to key moments in Hudson 7's history. Additionally, the Hudson 7 launched its presence on social media by creating Facebook and Instagram pages, accompanied by the development of a social media policy to guide communication and ensure consistency. These initiatives mark an important step in sharing vital updates and fostering public awareness of the council’s work to protect drinking water sources. Goal 4: “Develop a plan that includes communications, training sessions and shared services support for participating municipality’s drinking water operators.” Supporting drinking water treatment plants and their operators remains the cornerstone of the Hudson 7's mission. In 2024, to celebrate its six-year anniversary, the Hudson 7 launched its first annual Water Operators Appreciation Week in May. This initiative featured daily profiles of water plant operators from all five Hudson 7 water treatment plants, shining a spotlight on their essential contributions. The council also updated its shared services document, expanding it to include not only equipment but also new categories like sampling, chemicals, training opportunities, and other resources such as conference rooms. Additionally, the Hudson 7 established a Water Treatment Plant Committee to address the unique challenges of treating water from the Hudson River. The committee is developing the first educational program specifically for Hudson 7 plant operators, offering credits and tailored training to enhance their expertise and collaboration. Here are reflections from several of our Hudson 7 communities’ drinking water plant leaders and technical advisors on the impact the Hudson 7 has had in their communities. “The last 3.5 years as Superintendent, the Hudson 7 has helped bridge the gap between all 5 of its municipal members, specifically the ''Water Operators'' and ''Chief Operators/Superintendent's/Management''. Furthermore, my entire staff feel like they're part of a tighter knit community of water operators thanks to Hudson 7 scheduled & coordinated events.” - Nicholas Butler, Superintendent, Port Ewen Water & Sewer “The Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (DCWWA) has found the Hudson 7 to be an invaluable forum for learning and sharing knowledge among water professionals dedicated to the reliable provision of potable water. With the knowledge base and regulatory landscape constantly evolving, Hudson 7’s collaborative environment has been essential for keeping pace with best practices and ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water resources. For example, a recent facility tour sparked passionate conversations regarding coagulants best management practices and application rates during seasonal changes in surface water. These discussions were both enriching and rare to encounter outside of groups like Hudson 7, where shared insights lead to innovative solutions.” - Jonathan Churins, Executive Director Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority “Operators working together to operate plants more efficiently, improve knowledge, share experiences, and share resources is a dream come true for me, and I am thrilled that Hudson 7 is improving this cooperation. Educational requirements to obtain and maintain licenses are stringent and time-consuming. These requirements also have limited the number of licensed operators. The Hudson 7 plans to help operators meet those requirements by conducting classes on the unique challenges of treating Hudson River water. Hudson 7 has also developed lists of equipment that operators could share. These lists could help during emergencies and breakdowns of critical equipment. The Hudson 7 can coordinate emergency plans to help each other in the future. The Hudson 7 has collected emergency plans for all the plants, which is the first step in developing coordinated plans. Hudson 7 is definitely the catalyst to bring opportunities to all the operators of the Hudson 7” - Paul E. Malmrose, PE, Engineering Technical Advisor Goal 5: “Create outreach and education materials such as a presentation about the Hudson 7’s accomplishments to date, importance for the water supply, and priorities, to ensure that member communities and other collaborators are well informed about the work and value of the council.” This year, the Hudson 7 created a Fact Sheet to help onboard new council members and engage the public, providing a clear overview of the council’s mission and ongoing initiatives. Goal 6: “Complete the map of the Hudson River Drinking Water watershed including known threats and concerns to be adopted by each municipality and included in a new source water assessment.” In 2019, with the support of Tighe & Bond and sponsorship from the Town of Esopus, the Hudson 7 communities submitted an application to participate in the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2). This effort aimed to create a comprehensive source water protection plan for the Hudson 7, building on the 2017 Scorecard report developed in collaboration with Riverkeeper. All five Hudson 7 communities with drinking water intakes were selected to participate in the DWSP2 program by the NYSDEC. After years of dedicated effort, the Hudson 7 submitted its draft DWSP2 plan to New York State for review and approval. The council looks forward to presenting the plan to all Hudson 7 communities to collaboratively safeguard the Hudson River as a vital drinking water source. Goal 8a: CHPE Committee: Successfully influencing the CHPE route at a safe distance from drinking water intakes. Along with the Hudson 7’s Proposed Testing & Monitoring Protocols, and a pair of studies assessing the impacts of the underwater transmission line, the Hudson 7 played a pivotal role in influencing the cable route of the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) transmission able to ensure it was located at a safe distance from the Hudson 7 drinking water intakes, protecting this vital resource. After years of dedicated efforts and success, the Hudson 7 developed a detailed timeline of Hudson 7 developed a detailed timeline of events that outlines the council’s consistent and focused efforts to ensure drinking water protections throughout the CHPE process within the section of the river that supplies drinking water to Hudson 7 communities. |
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