On Jan. 31, 2019, President Trump signed an executive order furthering his efforts to require federal funds for infrastructure projects be constructed using Made in America products and materials.
The impacts upon the water sector are unclear at this time since most federal funding for water infrastructure goes through the Clean Water SRF, Drinking Water SRF and WIFIA, which already have statutory requirements for Buy American for iron and steel materials, but not manufactured products. The executive order identifies manufactured products but defines them as "items and construction materials composed in whole or in part of non-ferrous metals such as aluminum; plastics and polymer-based products such as polyvinyl chloride pipe; aggregates such as concrete; glass, including optical fiber; and lumber.” The EPA and other federal agencies will likely provide further guidance on this matter in the months ahead.
