“Our industry is facing significant challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, there is a growing awareness of the criticality of clean and safe drinking water, driving increased scrutiny and demand for ever higher standards. On the other hand, aging infrastructure, water scarcity and emerging contaminants are putting pressure on water systems to innovate and adapt.

Cyber threats are also an ever-evolving concern. AWWA's water professionals are navigating this complex landscape through collaboration, education and investments in people and technology. We are focused on moving water forward to ensure reliable and sustainable access to safe drinking water the world over in 2050 and beyond.”

Pat KerrAWWA President

“In recent years, we have worked hard to change the narrative for our water sources, recognizing they are critical pieces of our water utility infrastructure. Understanding the sources’ role in our business model, has helped elevate their importance across the industry. If we don’t have safe and reliable sources, we don’t have the ability to support public health. Just as we recognize threats to aging infrastructure, we now more readily recognize and understand threats to our source waters.

From climate change to wildfire to excess nutrients and emerging contaminants like PFAS, we understand just how susceptible our sources are to outside influence, elevating the need for protection and placing a spotlight on their importance. Luckily, we are becoming more innovative in our protection strategies and are able to leverage partnerships and funding like never before in watershed and source water protection.”

Raven LawsonWatershed Protection Manager, Central Arkansas Water

“PFAS occur widely in drinking water sources, and the new EPA MCLs for six PFAS will impact many drinking water providers around the country. Installing treatment for PFAS removal will enhance consumer confidence in the nation’s drinking water and can bring with it ancillary benefits such as further controlling disinfection by-product formation and having a barrier in place against other contaminants that may become a concern in the future.

While the rule has the potential to increase the cost of drinking water, it is my hope that, where possible, responsible parties will be held accountable for the costs of compliance with the new PFAS MCLs.”

Dr. Detlef KnappeProfessor, Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University

“Cyber intrusions on utilities are occurring more than ever before, both internationally and domestically. The cyber landscape is evolving quickly and understanding Critical Infrastructure vulnerabilities is key to proactively mitigating the risks.

AWWA provides many resources to help secure our infrastructure, including the ANSI/AWWA J100-21 Standard and the AWWA Cybersecurity Guidance and Assessment Tool. AWWA actively works with partners and members at all levels to identify industry needs and help close the gaps.”

Christian ManaloLead Associate, Infrastructure & Environment, Booz Allen Hamilton

“The water industry is on the front lines of climate change as we must continue to provide reliable, clean water to our communities in the face of intensifying climate hazards including droughts, floods, wildfires and extreme heat. We also have an opportunity to be part of the climate solution through reducing our energy footprint, and thereby greenhouse gas emissions, for water treatment and conveyance.

The water sector is making an important shift toward being more proactive in addressing our climate change challenges with data-driven approaches to better quantify climate risks and with investments in creative, collaborative, and forward-thinking solutions.”

Rachel DuncanSenior Engineer, Water Resources and Resilience, Carollo Engineers

“Like so many others, my utility is investing time and resources to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s demands. Meeting the needs of an evolving workforce is critical to our ability to successfully meet these demands. We support our workforce through research, apprenticeships, intern programs and operator training initiatives.

There is also a significant focus on the deployment and incorporation of technology as a resource to support the water professional as they work to ensure a sustainable water future. I encourage us to continue to share and to work creatively and flexibly to develop training programs and career opportunities for the water workforce of tomorrow.”

Cheryl PorterChief Operating Officer, Great Lakes Water Authority

“The financial challenges are reaching a tipping point for some utilities, threatening their long-term sustainability. Today’s water utility contends with the legacy issue of aging infrastructure, the possibility of expensive new treatment to address PFAS, the replacement of lead service lines, the investments necessary to protect against cyber-attacks, and the cost of securing future supplies against the backdrop of a changing climate.

While federal assistance will certainly help ease this complexity, utilities will inevitably need to set rates that cover the full cost of providing water service and, at the same time, find ways to assist households with lower incomes.”

David LaFranceAWWA CEO