Clean water is a basic expectation in the United States, yet millions of Americans still live in areas with unsafe or unreliable drinking water. High-profile crises like Flint’s lead disaster grabbed national attention, but many other cities continue to struggle with contamination that stems from aging infrastructure, poor regulation, political conflict, or environmental injustice.

The federal government is opening again (or so it seems), bringing long-awaited relief to the agencies, contractors, and communities that depend on federal funding.

The latest government shutdown isn’t just a story about politics and paychecks; it’s about water. Across the country, towns and cities are watching vital clean water projects stall while federal agencies sit in limbo.

And so the government shutdown continues, and this time, it’s hitting the irrigation and water sectors hard. If you work in Ag, construction, or utilities, you’ve probably already felt it.

When people hear about a government shutdown, they usually think of closed national parks, furloughed federal workers, or political gridlock in Washington. But one of the less obvious yet critical areas affected is water treatment and infrastructure.

Clean water is something most of us take for granted, until it isn’t. Beneath our feet, groundwater provides drinking water, nourishes crops, and keeps industries running.

Let’s be honest, most of us don’t think twice when we fill up a glass of tap water. It’s supposed to be safe, right? But the truth is, there’s a growing buzz about what’s really in our water, and two big players are grabbing headlines right now: PFAS (aka "forever chemicals") and fluoride.

California’s water infrastructure is mixed: world-class in big urban systems and major conveyance (State Water Project, major treatment plants), but uneven statewide, with hundreds of small systems failing or “at risk,” aging pipes, and large capital needs.

Nations like Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, and several EU countries consistently earn top marks for water safety and strict regulations.

Water treatment is one of those things most people don’t think about—until something goes wrong.

Alaska, with its extensive and unspoiled water resources, faces unique challenges in their management.

Water quality matters more than ever, whether you’re drinking from the tap, a well, or natural sources.

Water filtration systems are essential across various industries, from agriculture and manufacturing to healthcare and food processing.

Water is essential, but much of the infrastructure supplying clean water is aging and urgently needs investment.

As the U.S. water treatment industry nears 2025-2030, it is poised for significant changes.

Groundwater stands as a pivotal resource nationwide, sustaining diverse sectors ranging from agriculture to municipal water supplies.

As reported by The Seattle Times, PFAS has been identified in 866 private drinking water wells.

On June 15, 2022, the EPA issued interim updated drinking water health advisories for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) that replace those the EPA originally issued in 2016.