Jim Edwards, C.T. Male’s Vice President of Risk Management and Regional Office Development and a member of our Board of Directors, never imagined that a routine environmental check on behalf of Jenkinsville, a hamlet located within the Town of Queensbury, would evolve into a multi-year odyssey.
It began in 2021, when trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane—a “Forever Chemical”, were discovered in a handful of Jenkinsville’s wells. Though below action levels, the findings unsettled residents. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) swiftly launched a site characterization, pulling Jim and his team into the fold.
Initially, our team was tasked with analyzing data and assessing the chemical’s treatability. Kirk Moline, Managing Geologist, led the environmental side, but as the project grew, so did Jim’s role. By 2022, the town sought a reliable water source for Jenkinsville, with its homes, a large Town Park and some industrial parcels to the north, prompting Jim to explore solutions that balanced potable water needs with fire protection.
He evaluated aquifers, calculated yields, and weighed infrastructure options. The challenge wasn’t just technical—it was personal. Jim had long-standing ties with the town, having worked closely with several staff dating back to the early 2000s. That trust, built over decades and generations of town officials, became the cornerstone of the project.
Now, in late 2025, the source of the contamination remains elusive, but Jim’s commitment hasn’t wavered. He sees the work not as a transaction, but a relationship—one where being a “trusted advisor” means showing up when it counts the most.
For Jim, the project is more than environmental engineering. It’s about bringing clean and safe water to a community of families, friends, coworkers, and all those in between.