Guest Columns

A decision by the United States Supreme Court in a Clean Water Act case in March drew mixed reactions, with some saying the ruling could have implications for the future quality of U.S. water bodies. The Supreme Court ruling of mention was the case, City andRead More

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will keep the current National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which set nationwide limits for these “forever chemicals” in drinking water. The agency is committed to addressing PFOA andRead More

By John Ryan Like it or not, the U.S. federal government is in the middle of a major upheaval. Everything and anything, no matter how well established by time or precedent, can be questioned. It’s unlikely that the policy parameters of federal finance for waterRead More

Last week the White House released its FY2026 Budget Request that proposed significant cuts across the federal government including a 55% reduction in annual spending at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In total, the administration’s budget proposal looks to cut $163 billion in federalRead More

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin recently provided some details on upcoming agency action to address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Zeldin announced a long list that included, in part, the designation of an agency lead for PFAS, the creation of effluent limitationsRead More

The American Water Works Association has thrown its support behind new legislation that would create a collaborative approach to cybersecurity in the water sector. The Water Risk and Resilience Organization (WRRO) Establishment Act (H.R. 2594), introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 2, authorizes anRead More

Last week, more than 750 water utility professionals from across the United States convened in the nation’s capital for the annual Water Week, featuring Congressional office visits and policy updates from sector leaders and regulators. The anchor event of Water Week is the National WaterRead More

The Trump administration has placed a 10% baseline tariff on most imports, effective April 5, with additional tariffs on goods from select nations going into effect on April 9. Canada and Mexico are exempt from these tariffs due to the fact they are currently payingRead More

By Wayne Hofmann On Jan. 27 of this year, I traveled across the country to talk to strangers about federal funding, something I do occasionally. As I drank my morning coffee and prepared my remarks, a colleague sent an article titled “White House budget officeRead More

Jessica Kramer, the nominee to serve as the next assistant administrator for water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), participated in a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing last week, garnering some water sector support. Kramer was nominated by President Donald TrumpRead More