Hudson 7 First Annual Water Operators Appreciation Week Highlight: Highland Water District and Adam Litman, Water and Sewer Administrator

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.   

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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).