A recent U.S.-Canada trade agreement that attempts to resolve a dispute over the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s “Buy American” provisions will provide some help for water and wastewater companies in both countries, but in many ways it is too little, too late, industry sources say.
The agreement, which took effect on Feb. 16, waives the Buy American requirements for ARRA-funded contracts awarded through September 2011 that use components manufactured in Canada. On both sides of the border, the Buy American spat has been of keen interest to water and wastewater firms, which contend the mandate has unnecessarily slowed down infrastructure projects. ARRA requires municipalities to get waivers if they want to use non-U.S.-made parts for Environmental Protection Agency state revolving fund (SRF) stimulus projects. Obtaining those waivers often can be time-consuming, firms say.