Guest Columns

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

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) this month re-introduced two bipartisan bills to support rural water systems in emergency preparedness and cybersecurity. The Rural Water System Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act, co-led by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), would help rural water and wastewater utilities prepare andRead More

The U.S. House of Representatives’ Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing Tuesday on “Water Infrastructure Financing: WIFIA and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund,” featuring four water sector experts who testified on current challenges and needs with the programs. The four witnesses whoRead More

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), which represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide, said it supports the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that will strike down “vague” language in Clean Water Act permits. The Supreme Court rulingRead More