Bob Crossen is senior managing editor for Water & Wastes Digest. Crossen can be reached at [email protected].
To think it is already December and that 2019 is nearing a close! This year has been one wrought with changes and big moments for the industry, particularly in the second half of the year when the U.S. EPA revealed the National Water Reuse Action Plan in full, repealed the Waters of the U.S. Rule and announced Lead and Copper Rule revisions.
That only scratches the surface, however, as there are several bills floating through congress with provisions for funding or regulatory changes that would impact the water and wastewater industry. That said, it stands to reason 2020 will not bring about as much change at the federal level because of the U.S. Presidential election. If history is to be believed, bills will not be moving quickly through Congress due to the political climate of the looming election.
However, industry leaders are expecting to see more occur at the state level. States have been particularly active in 2019 by implementing their own limits and standards for contaminants, and with a likely standstill to happen in Washington, D.C., state-level action will be more likely than ever. For more details on this, check out the State of the Industry Report starting on page 8.
Onto another order of business, WWD has opened its nominations for its Young Professionals program. Do you know a rising start in your organization or in the industry? Then nominate them for our Young Pros program today. Fill out the form at bit.ly/wwdyoungprosnomination to recognize them for their work and influence.
