WIP Editorial

  1. The Cost Of Waiting: Utilities Face A Narrowing PFAS Compliance Window 9/4/2026
    For years, the water industry's PFAS conversation centered on monitoring, testing, and regulatory anticipation. Today, that phase is largely over.
  2. D.C. Circuit Upholds EPA's Hazardous Substance Designation For PFOA, PFOS 8/24/2026

    The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit recently rejected industry challenges to the EPA's designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA, leaving the agency's April 2024 rule fully intact. While the case centered on the EPA's authority to make the designation, its practical significance for water utilities is simpler: the liability concerns that have accompanied the rule since its adoption remain unresolved.

  3. What State Hard Water Rankings Reveal About Utility Operations 8/11/2026
    Water hardness is not regulated as a drinking water contaminant and is generally not considered a public health concern, yet it remains one of the most visible aspects of water quality for customers and one of the most misunderstood.
  4. Midyear Reality Check: How Accurate Have Our 2026 Water Predictions Been So Far? 8/4/2026
    At the start of 2026, Kevin Westerling and I laid out a compelling roadmap on The Water Online Show, highlighting the trends we believed would shape the water and wastewater industry. Now, halfway through the year, I wanted to take a step back and evaluate how those predictions are playing out in the real world.
  5. Beyond Compliance: The Utilities Setting A New Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Standard 7/17/2026

    Every year, drinking water utilities across the U.S. publish Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), the federally required reports designed to inform customers about the quality of their drinking water. While utilities have generally succeeded in meeting regulatory requirements, communicating that information in a clear, accessible, and engaging way has proven more challenging.

  6. Building A Better Water Workforce Starts With People, Not Positions 7/10/2026
    A discovery at ACE26 offers practical ideas for attracting, developing, and retaining the next generation of water professionals.
  7. Inside The Blueprint To Standardize State Water Reuse Regulations 7/6/2026
    Water scarcity in the U.S. is increasing almost as rapidly as demand for clean drinking water. In response, more municipalities and public utilities are actively pivoting toward water reuse strategies. Yet many of these projects are running up against an archaic administrative bottleneck.
  8. How Risk Management Can Build More Resilient Utilities 6/30/2026
    From rapidly evolving cyber threats and extreme weather patterns to regulatory pressures and emerging contaminants, modern water and wastewater utilities are facing an unprecedented era of growing risks. To navigate these challenges, forward-thinking organizations are adopting structured risk assessment frameworks that support long-term resilience rather than reactive emergency response.
  9. How Water Infrastructure Can Drive Economic Growth 6/18/2026
    The U.S. water and wastewater industry is standing at an awkward crossroads. For years, technical capabilities, federal funding, and a shared sense of industry urgency have all co-existed in a critical mass. However, the rollout of major infrastructure projects remains sluggish.
  10. An Attendee's Guide To ACE26 6/12/2026
    What to expect, where to focus, and how to get the most from AWWA’s flagship water event.