From ASDWA’s perspective, 2026 will be all about execution, implementation, and collaboration as the sector comes together to transform ambitious rules and record investments into reliable public health assurances to communities across the U.S.
PFAS compliance will be a focal point as states oversee thousands of systems through monitoring, treatment selection, and affordability challenges. Practical matters, such as lab capacity, will continue to be critical, and states will advocate for realistic implementation timelines and sustained technical assistance in partnership with EPA.
Under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, lead service line replacement is set to accelerate, but funding and workforce constraints remain. The pace will depend on good inventories and a workforce that can do replacements at scale. All state drinking water programs are moving towards tracking inventory accuracy, embracing risk-based replacement, and ensuring progress reaches the communities that need it the most.
Source water protection is getting a second wind. It’s cheaper to keep contaminants out of our water than to chase them through treatment. Expect stronger integration of SWP in permitting and planning through partnerships like the Source Water Collaborative.
Cybersecurity will evolve from episodic advisories to routine risk management. Collaboration will be paramount to our success, with states and EPA engaging with utilities and trusted partners to align guidance, conduct tabletop exercises, and establish minimum expectations. In 2026, the sector will start recognizing cyber as an integral part of public health protection rather than an add‑on.
The limitation on all of this is capacity. State Revolving Fund (SRF) set‑asides and technical assistance help, but as infrastructure dollars taper, many systems' needs remain: operator training, asset management, and practical implementation support.
Ultimately, success in 2026 relies on pragmatic and collaborative approaches, with state primacy agencies and EPA maintaining a balance of regulatory ambition and affordability, supporting small systems, and coordinating across programs so that the communities we serve achieve measurable benefits in safety, reliability, and resilience.
