Lauren Del Ciello | Managing Editor | [email protected]
undefinedThanksgiving, coupled with the conclusion of 2019, leads me to reflect on both successes and obstacles the water treatment industry has faced in the past year. There certainly remains obstacles to overcome; just ask any of WQP’s 2019 Top Dealers (page 16) who explain their industry gripes.
Industry gripes aside, there’s a lot to be thankful for this past year and moving into 2020. Each fall, WQP surveys its audience on trends from the past year and goals for the coming year to bring you the annual State of the Industry report (page 6). This year, the report found 55% of respondents plan to expand their operation within the next 24 months, which shows that while challenges such as internet retailers and employee retention persist, the water treatment industry is equipped to continue to adapt to meet and surpass industry challenges, including an ever-evolving market, emerging contaminant concerns and new regulations.
Beyond the results of WQP’s annual report, you don’t need to look far to find more reasons to count your blessings. On a national level, the U.S. EPA issued a long-awaited proposal to update the Lead and Copper Rule and a draft of the National Water Reuse Action Plan. The agency also revealed a PFAS Action Plan with goals to propose limits on PFOA and PFOS in drinking water by the end of the year.
Individual states have taken strides to create their own standards for lead and emerging contaminants in drinking water, and increasingly include language detailing point-of-use and point-of-entry treatment as contaminant removal solutions, thanks in no small part to efforts by members of the water treatment industry to ensure congressional leaders understand the necessity of our industry to solve these problems.
On a more personal note, I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had this past year to connect with industry leaders, explore valuable projects and technologies, and ask probing questions. If you have thoughts on what the new year has in store for our industry, send me an email at [email protected].
