Texas Water 2025 in Houston, Texas, was yet another conference that offered valuable insights and perspective. From my role — having to be immersed in constant news about regulations, funding and whatever the crisis of the day is — the world can feel a bit off kilter, a bit chaotic and a bit alarming. Sitting in the technical sessions, I listened to presenters explain their processes for addressing water scarcity amidst record drought and increasing urban populations. The thing is, they plan ahead — far ahead.
A hundred years from now, when nobody who is reading this today will be around, people living in those areas will have enough water because water industry professionals had foresight, worked the problem, found the funding, created a roadmap, and set things into motion on 10-, 20- and 30-year infrastructure projects, even though most of them will probably retire and not see these projects come to completion. That is kind of magical.
Take that magic and apply it to all the other challenges I come across every day. See it in emerging leaders, seasoned soldiers and departing mentors. Things actually might be under control.
On the heels of that thought, and with the tumultuous news cycle, there are some things that the industry will have to take in stride, but I have no doubt it will. Changes in the PFAS regulatory landscape are likely coming, the topic of microplastics seems to still be hovering on the horizon along with a whole host of other challenges I need not outline for readers here. However, it all comes with an abundance of dependable, contemporary and futuristic thought leadership, technology and masterful ability that keeps the industry in a state of evolution.
No matter what the political beliefs are of any of us, we must stay attuned but not stressed. To get a read on the present scene, we conducted a poll of our readers on how the current administration is performing for the water sector. More than 300 people responded. In the open responses, some left positive comments, some left vociferous ones and some were fairly neutral on topics ranging from the impacts of the economy on water systems to how regulatory restructuring will change the industry’s future.
What is clear is there may be little one can do to control or affect the policies of any presidential administration. What I have learned is the water industry will overcome anything that is thrown at it now, and forever.
