In this episode of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling explore the complex interplay of tariffs, regulations, and industry trends with Saurabh Singh and Jacob Steele from BlueTech Research, offering insights and recommendations for stakeholders in the water and wastewater sector.

In particular, the discussion focuses on the potential impacts of tariffs on different industry segments and activities, the commodities used therein, and the cost of operations — for example, how the price of pipes, pumps, valves, membranes, and treatment chemicals could be affected.

Singh, BlueTech’s Vice President of Advisory Services, and Steele, a Senior Research Analyst, also provide mitigation strategies for avoiding, as best as possible, high costs that could trickle down to ratepayers.

The current state of and tariffs’ effect on American manufacturing is considered, as are the trajectories of sustainability goals and smart-water initiatives. The panel also discusses the potential fate of regulations, including rules around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Get the experts' take on this fast-moving situation by tuning in.

In this episode of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling engage in a critical discussion with Claudio Ternieden, Executive Director of the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA), concerning the tumultuous landscape of changing U.S. policies and their implications for the water and wastewater industry. The discussion centers on the rapid and often unpredictable actions of the new presidential administration, specifically focusing on tariffs, federal budget reviews, and regulatory changes under President Donald Trump that are creating a sense of uncertainty for both manufacturers and utilities.

In this episode of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling dive into one of the most pressing issues in the water and wastewater industry: PFAS contamination. With the recent release of the U.S. EPA’s draft risk assessment on PFAS in biosolids, the conversation is more relevant than ever. To shed light on the findings, implications, and potential regulatory future, the hosts are joined by Rashi Gupta, National Wastewater Practice Director at Carollo Engineers. The discussion covers the widespread presence of PFAS, which affects over 90% of the U.S. population, and how these chemicals, long present in various sources, have only recently been detected in biosolids used in agriculture. The EPA’s draft risk assessment models the impact of PFAS on a hypothetical “farm family” consuming food, water, and animal products from contaminated land, revealing that even at low concentrations, the risk in some scenarios exceeds acceptable levels.

The episode also delves into the implications of potential regulatory changes, urging utilities and agricultural partners to prepare for new compliance requirements. While biosolids serve as cost-effective fertilizers with essential nutrients, concerns over PFAS contamination pose long-term environmental and health risks. The public has until March 17, 2025, to comment on the EPA’s draft, after which risk management strategies and regulations may follow. Utilities are advised to assess PFAS levels, manage industrial sources, and engage transparently with agricultural partners while considering diversification in biosolids management. As regulatory changes could bring financial burdens, stakeholders must balance costs with the overarching goal of public health and environmental protection. This episode highlights the complexity of PFAS contamination and the proactive measures needed to navigate the evolving landscape.

Tune in to The Water Online Show to hear all of Rashi Gupta’s expert advice.