AWWA JAW62297

Regulations such as the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act pose significant challenges for water utilities. Protecting the public health and environment means adjusting practices to limit contaminants, often detectable at levels beyond our understanding of environmental risk. This process can be costly and complex. Utilities must take steps, such as anticipating regulations and taking part in the legislative and regulatory process, to manage these challenges now and in the future. This article is the fifth in a six-part series on trends and their implications for water utilities. It discusses present and future regulations, what they mean for water utilities, and potential management strategies to address them. Includes 13 references, figures.