Red Hook names H2O Innovation as operator as village responds to DEC consent order

At its July 14 meeting, the Village of Red Hook Board of Trustees voted to appoint H2O Innovation Operation and Maintenance LLC as the village’s water and sewer operator, effective Aug. 1, 2025, and discussed a DEC consent order arising from a March 21 inspection and an April 14 notice of violation.

The trustees approved a short-term (one-year) contract so the village can review H2O’s performance and change operators if necessary. Village officials said H2O was selected after the sewer team reviewed proposals and conducted references; the team favored H2O because it is a larger firm with a separate safety team and a local staff lead. The board also noted a potential attorney conflict: village counsel Kyle Barnett represents H2O in an unrelated collection action; the board unanimously considered that matter inconsequential and waived the potential conflict so the mayor may negotiate and sign the contract with counsel’s consultation.

Why it matters: The vote formalizes a new operator after a period of transitional management by Delaware Engineering and follows a series of compliance and operational reviews. The appointment, the DEC consent order and planned engineering filings affect how the village manages wastewater operations and how much oversight the board will require in the next year.

What trustees said and the selection process The mayor reported that the sewer team — composed of the mayor, village engineer Robert Flores, DPW foreman Jake Smith and utilities clerk Jen Kavanaugh — contacted six prospective operators. Several firms declined to take new clients; two firms that submitted proposals were H2O Innovation and North Dome Operations, and H2O and H2O’s local lead were selected based on references and capacity. The board agreed to a one-year term to allow for monitoring and audits by Delaware Engineering.

Village attorney Kyle Barnett disclosed he is representing H2O in a separate collection action and indicated the matter is winding down. The mayor said the board considers the potential conflict unrelated and inconsequential and moved to waive it so the mayor could finalize contract negotiations in consultation with counsel. The board voted in favor.

DEC consent order and plant operations Trustees discussed a consent order the village received from the DEC on July 3 that relates to a notice of violation from April 14, following an on-site inspection on March 21. The village is contesting portions of the flow-related findings, noting that allowable flow increased after the new plant came online in early 2023. Village counsel is in contact with DEC counsel and the village’s engineering team is preparing further documentation and design modification plans for DEC review.

Operational results and next steps Officials reported that samples from the new wastewater treatment plant taken in June were in compliance. The older plant, which was restarted in May, recorded one exceedance for total suspended solids on a June 5 sample (29.5 vs. the limit of 10) but was otherwise in compliance for the month. DPW has installed an alarm on the equalization tank; the alarm currently sounds locally and is not automated to notify staff, and the village is seeking quotes to upgrade alarm monitoring.

Trustees scheduled a fourth public information meeting on the wastewater project for Tuesday, July 15 at Village Hall to share the latest operational information and planned DEC filings.

Ending The board’s action assigns H2O Innovation a central role in operating the village plants while the village negotiates contract terms, pursues additional engineering approvals with the DEC and continues public briefings about plant performance and necessary improvements.