How Water Utilities Can Unlock Federal Funds Through BABAA-Compliant Flow Monitoring Instruments

Federal infrastructure funding is reshaping how water utilities plan upgrades and select equipment, with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) setting strict requirements for material sourcing and manufacturing. For utilities seeking access to programs such as the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds—or specialized resources like RESTORE Act allocations—flow meters and other manufactured products must meet BABAA’s domestic production and component thresholds. This places new emphasis on choosing vendors with fully compliant supply chains, proven U.S.-based manufacturing, and established documentation procedures. Working with BABAA-certified manufacturers minimizes project delays by eliminating the need for lengthy waiver requests and ensuring utilities possess the audit-ready records required for funding approval. Certification letters, component traceability, and manufacturing transparency provide further assurance that projects can proceed on time and within budget. By prioritizing flow meters designed and built to satisfy federal compliance rules, utilities can more easily secure available infrastructure dollars and accelerate critical system improvements without the administrative burdens that often impede progress.