Government regulations and standards have tightened over the years, driving public and private sectors in the direction of a lead-free environment. Municipalities, utilities and property managers alike have had to adapt to the changes and find solutions that can accommodate their needs and their budgets to provide a safe water source for communities consuming the water.

The House of Representatives passed Republican-led legislation in July aimed at bringing more water to the most drought-plagued areas of California. Citing environmental concerns and other problems, the White House has threatened to veto the bill.

In June, the House Appropriations Committee approved a $30.17 billion Interior and Environment spending bill that cuts U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding by 9 percent and blocks key Obama administration climate rules.

In July, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved approximately $3.9 billion in financial assistance from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT).

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced last month the investment of $98.3 million for 12 wastewater and non-point source projects across 12 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

In July, GAME Trenchless Consultants announced the signing of three major contracts and is currently negotiating an additional three that the company says will keep it busy long into 2016.

After five punishing years, drought conditions have reached critical mass in California and much of the western United States, with Golden State utilities scrambling to meet government mandates for 25 percent reductions in water usage.

The developers behind the Global Water Center in Milwaukee on Friday bought a nearby building where construction could start in late fall on a second office catering to water technology companies.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced last week, $42 million in funding to states to promote outdoor recreation and conservation. The funding, distributed to all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia, comes from offshore oil and gas royalties through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

Denver-based water and sanitation nonprofit Water For People (WFP) announced last week the appointment of Eleanor Allen as the organization?s new CEO.