From landmark federal funding decisions to major infrastructure upgrades and emerging technologies reshaping drinking water and wastewater systems, 2025 was a pivotal year for the water sector. WaterWorld’s most-read news stories reflected the challenges and opportunities facing utilities, regulators and solution providers alike. The following roundup highlights the top WaterWorld news posts of 2025, capturing the issues that mattered most to our audience and the developments that helped define the year in water.
1. Every mention of 'water' in Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
The U.S. House passed President Donald Trump’s spending bill on July 3, 2025, that includes tax cuts and cuts to Medicaid and various other programs. The bill now goes to the President to be signed. Initial estimates suggest the bill would add roughly $3 trillion to the national debt.
2. White House proposes $2.4B reduction for 2026 State Revolving Fund programs
In a May 2, 2025 letter to Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, President Donald Trump’s FY2026 budget proposal amounts to $4.2 billion in total funding reduction across the entire agency in 2026 compared to 2025 for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While the overall net balance results in a reduction, two programs would witness increases.
3. Fort Worth, Texas, files lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers and U.S. Department of Defense over water contamination
The city of Fort Worth, Texas, has filed a lawsuit against per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) manufacturers 3M and DuPont, as well as the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for PFAS contamination in the city’s drinking water.
4. Navigating the implications of President Trump's tariff plan for the water industry
President Donald Trump signed an executive order for a new tariff plan on April 2, 2025, following a speech that took place in the rose garden. During the speech, President Trump announced baseline tariffs of 10% on all imports into the United States. Reciprocal tariffs were placed on countries with which the U.S. has significant trade deficits.
5. Jessica Kramer nominated as EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water
President Trump nominated Jessica Kramer as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPAs) Assistant Administrator for Water on February 11, 2025.
6. How the government shutdown affects water and wastewater utilities
The U.S. federal government shutdown on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, following Congress’ inability to pass funding bills, or appropriations, that keep federal agencies running for the next fiscal year, which begins October 1. If no agreement is reached by the end of September 30, a partial shutdown will begin the following day. Some essential employees still report to work, but others may be furloughed.
7. EPA Administrator, DOGE cancel over 400 grants in fourth round of cuts
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the assistance of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), focused on grant cancellations in early February 2025.
8. SwiftComply launches new smart system
SwiftComply announced on June 18, 2025, the launch of its new Pretreatment module, a specialized, smart system for managing industrial wastewater oversight. The module was developed over multiple years in close collaboration with municipal leaders.
9. California State Water Project increases allocation forecast
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced an update to the State Water Project (SWP) allocation forecast for 2025. The announcement was made on January 28, 2025, and stated that allocation has increased to 20% of requested supplies, up from 15% in December 2024.
10. Veralto announces $23.5 million commitment to new fund to accelerate water innovation solutions
Veralto Corporation announced on July 22, 2025, a €20 million ($23.5 million) investment commitment in Emerald Technology Ventures' Global Water Fund II, reinforcing the company's focus on driving the next wave of water innovation and advancing breakthrough technologies that address critical global water challenges.
About the Author
Alex Cossin
Associate Editor
Alex Cossin is the associate editor for Waterworld Magazine, Wastewater Digest and Stormwater Solutions, which compose the Endeavor Business Media Water Group. Cossin graduated from Kent State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Cossin can be reached at [email protected].