After a challenging couple of years plagued with post-pandemic effects, unprecedented weather events and supply-chain disruption, November of 2021 served as a hopeful turning point for the waterworks sector with the passing of the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — the largest investment in water in history, according to the American Waterworks Association’s 2022 State of the Waterworks Industry report (SOTWI).

PMI advocated for the act's water efficiency, conservation and water reuse funding, as well for significant improvements for water and wastewater systems to be covered by the law.

The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2021 U.S. infrastructure report card graded the United States wastewater system a D+, and the nation’s drinking water system received a C-. Additionally, according to the CDC, more than 500,000 kids in the U.S. have elevated levels of lead in their blood.

Crumbling infrastructure and workforce shortage are top concerns for industry.