Industry divided on Trump’s impact to wastewater sector in Q2 poll

Wastewater industry professionals remain split when it comes to the Trump Administration’s performance thus far, according to polling conducted by Wastewater Digest.

The Q2 poll focused on the administration’s first six months in office and found that 52% of respondents felt “very negative” about the administration’s performance so far as it relates to the wastewater sector. 31% of respondents felt “very positive” with 6% of respondents each feeling “somewhat negative,” “somewhat positive,” and “neutral.”

Compared to Q1 results, 45% felt “very negative,” 36% felt “very positive,” 8% of respondents felt “somewhat positive,” 6% were “neutral,” and 5% had a “somewhat negative” feeling toward the administration in Q1.

Responses about the Trump Administration’s performance thus far remained skewed, with comments focusing on the economy, regulations, tariffs and the environment. Comments from respondents regarding each of these topics can be found below.

Comments surrounding funding and the economy focused on federal funding and the amount of changes that have quickly taken place.

“NM's AG had to sue the administration to continue receiving funds in the BIL and other grant sources targeting wastewater improvements,” said a respondent in state government, “very negative” on Trump.

“Rules should not outpace tech. Residuals has to go someplace. And rapid tightening has to pace itself economic and time realities,” said a respondent in other*, “very positive” on Trump.

“His refusal to pay now with updates and maintenance upkeep with be much more expensive in the future,” said a respondent in other*, “neutral” on Trump.

“Removal of funding from SRF funds will greatly hamper utilities to upgrade and repair their infrastructure,” said a respondent in distribution, “very negative” on Trump.

“The constantly changing and surprise actions are difficult for businesses to manage. It’s difficult to plan and forecast when you don’t know what the cost, regulations, and labor markets will be at any time,” said a respondent in OEM, “very negative” on Trump.

“Since wastewater was not an agenda item for Mr. Trump, need to judge based on factors that affect the wastewater industry. It is a mixed bag. Steel might go up, but not much as most projects require US steel. Likely if restrictions are eased will make it a tougher sell to sell certain items. But if waste can be reduced, could mean more money for vital infrastructure such as wastewater treatment equipment,” said a respondent in engineering/consulting, “neutral” on Trump.

Regulations

Responses to regulatory changes varied and focused on science-based deregulation contrasted with comments about how changes will affect industry and the environment.

“Regulations based on science and practicality and NOT on politics,” said a respondent in municipal government, “very positive” on Trump.

“Gutting the EPA is making reporting difficult. Fast tracking permit applications and selling public lands for the sake of energy production is shortsighted and puts our water sources at risk,” said a respondent in state government, “very negative” on Trump.

“I believe we should allow the President to (do) his job. I am encouraged that we have a much better EPA director (Zeldin ?) and that declassifying Carbon Dioxide as a pollutant is a terrific start because that was bad science,” said a respondent in engineering/consulting, “somewhat positive” on Trump.

“Gutting government agencies, regulations, EPA, and other actions are all going to hurt our industry long term,” said a respondent in OEM, “very negative” on Trump.

“The Trump administration is making it easier for water/wastewater professionals by reducing the impact of burdensome, costly, unnecessary and ambiguous regulations,” said a respondent in municipal government, “very positive” on Trump.

Tariffs

Responses to tariffs remained evenly split, with a focus on U.S. manufacturing contrasted by comments about increasing prices.

“His tariffs are making my operations extremely expensive and they haven't really kicked in fully,” said a respondent in other*, “very negative” on Trump.

“So far it seems he has made good deals for America. We’ll see what happens during the year,” said a respondent in municipal government, “very positive” on Trump.

“We have seen an 18% average increase due to tariffs being passed on as surcharges through our vendors,” said a respondent in municipal government, “somewhat negative” on Trump.

“The President is doing what he said he was going to do when he was on the speech circuit. The re-industrialization of America will be good for all sectors, especially construction,” said a respondent in other*, “very positive” on Trump.

“Becoming increasingly difficult to predict pricing with future projects. Unsure of funding and loan programs going forward,” said a respondent in engineering/consulting, “very negative” on Trump.

Environment

Responses on the environment were also evenly split, with a main focus on a no-nonsense approach versus how deregulation may have a lasting impact.

“Bringing a practical approach to the managing the Environmental issues without WOKE hysteria,” said a respondent in engineering/consulting, “very positive” on Trump.

“The negative effects regarding the rollbacks in environmental regulations will be felt for decades and possibly be unrecoverable,” said a respondent in municipal government, “very negative” on Trump.

“The Trump Administration is a no nonsense and commonsense approach for wastewater. Through the EPA burdensome regulations have been rolled back,” said a respondent in engineering/consulting, “very positive” on Trump.

“The sudden and drastic cuts will have long lasting impacts to the industry and environment,” said a respondent in state government, “very negative” on Trump.