Hudson 7 Second Annual Water Operators Appreciation Week Highlight: Village of Rhinebeck Water Plant’s Thomas Mueller, Water Plant Operator

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.

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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.
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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).