Editorial Letter: The Stage is Set

Jan. 24, 2022

This editorial letter was originally featured in WWD January 2022 issue as "The Stage is Set"

About the author:

Bob Crossen is Senior Managing Editor for WWD. Crossen can be reached at [email protected]

This will be a big and important year for the water industry, more so than ever before. Last year had several critical moments for the industry as a whole, but none will have greater impact than that of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

In this issue, we explore the future of the water industry with that law in mind. Our annual State of the Industry report illuminates the market areas where the greatest growth is expected, highlights professional optimism and denotes some of the trends we will feel in 2022 and beyond. Additionally, we’ve expanded our Association Forecast this year by looping in more industry organizations than we ever have.

These associations all note the vital influence of this infrastructure law but also explain some of the important regulatory issues either hanging in the wind or — pardon the pun — coming down the pipe. We’re continuing to track the Lead & Copper Rule Revision and will have more details in March on that regulation. Additionally, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulations are at a tipping point, and we expect a framework in 2022, so we’ll be covering that as news arises.

There is a lot to look forward to in 2022, and we hope the content between these covers will set you and your colleagues up for success. We recognize our role is more vital than ever to connect you with the programs, systems and solutions providers that will best allow you to pull down the money from this infrastructure law and spend it as wisely as you can.

On another note, like many of the manufacturers in the industry, supply chain disruption has also hit our publication. A paper shortage is delaying our print issues — you likely noticed you got your December issue in January, for instance — and as such, there is no better way to get our issues in a timely manner than visiting our website and signing up for our weekly newsletters.

In doing so, you’ll gain access to exclusive content, weekly video interviews, weekly feature stories and more. Sign up now at bit.ly/wwdenews.

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