President Trump issued 68 executive orders within the first month of assuming office for his second term. Here's what we know now.
The impact of tariffs is unforeseen at press time, but WaterWorld anticipates more info at the start of March. Executive Order entitled “Unleashing American Energy” (#14154) froze climate change and environmental justice funding after a whirlwind 24-hour news cycle of court challenges, a clarity memo, and a recission. Some states have reported the inability to obtain resources while others say they have no trouble.
The administration also has said that for every one new regulation, 10 regulations would have to be removed. How this will affect PFAS regulations or any others pertaining to the water industry is unclear. In fact, even the lawsuit brought by AWWA against EPA for the PFAS MCL has been delayed.
Furthermore, the White House administration faces legal challenges to some of these executive orders, so this will be an ongoing and developing situation as challenges make their way through the courts.
For a more detailed explanation of the above, listen to our Talking Under Water podcast episode at wwdmag.com/trump-one-month that recaps President Trump's first month back in office. You can also view the Federal Register, where all Executive Orders are documented online: https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders/donald-trump/2025.
By the time this issue goes to press, everything could change. Actions are moving at a mind-bending clip. WaterWorld editors try their best to keep water professionals updated with news to plan for the future and articles to enhance their day-to-day; a stable rudder in a roiling sea. So while much is uncertain and the chaos of the moment makes it hard to plan, we aimed to fill this magazine issue with practical articles balanced by an enriching cover story.
That cover feature is part of a series Kaitlin Spiridellis is writing for WaterWorld on her globetrotting trip to understand water the world over. View each leg of her world tour at https://www.waterworld.com/55263703 and listen to her podcast episode at wwdmag.com/world-of-water.
About the Author
Mandy Crispin
Mandy Crispin is the editor-in-chief of WaterWorld magazine and co-host of water industry podcast Talking Under Water. She can be reached at [email protected].
Bob Crossen
Editorial Director
Bob Crossen is the vice president of content strategy for the Water and Energy Groups of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B. EB2B publishes WaterWorld, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions in its water portfolio and publishes Oil & Gas Journal, Offshore Magazine, T&D World, EnergyTech and Microgrid Knowledge in its energy portfolio. Crossen graduated from Illinois State University in Dec. 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He worked for Campbell Publications, a weekly newspaper company in rural Illinois outside St. Louis for four years as a reporter and regional editor. Crossen can be reached at [email protected].