Federal water policy is establishing a two-speed regulatory environment. In one respect, it offers immediate relief for legacy industries and development projects. In another respect, it builds the foundation for more stringent enforcement of regulations concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which could have significant implications for manufacturers and energy sectors by 2027.
The pattern of the Environmental Protection Agency’s late-2025 actions is clear. These actions include dismantling states’ authority to veto projects, delaying updates to outdated industrial standards, and launching studies aimed at establishing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances limits for high-growth sectors. As a result, water utilities and their industrial customers now face two divergent futures: a lenient regulatory environment for traditional pollutants alongside aggressive enforcement of “forever chemicals.” This shift will transfer compliance costs from more established industries to emerging ones.
This policy review provides a comprehensive analysis of key legislative and policy developments shaping the water and wastewater sector across the U.S. and Canada for the second half of 2025. Bluefield’s team of water experts continuously monitors regulatory shifts at the federal, state, and local levels to assess their implications and strategic impacts on water, wastewater, and stormwater.
