Counterfeit Materials

AWWA Policy Statement on Counterfeit Materials

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) strongly encourages owners/utilities/specifiers to confirm in writing the origins of the products to be utilized within their systems.  Such confirmation will assure that products are of genuine manufacture and will ensure the safety of the public.

Counterfeit materials are defined as imitations intended to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine and are often produced with the intent to take advantage of the superior value of the imitated product.  Items produced under fraudulent circumstances are seldom manufactured to conform to industry standards.  For this reason, those items may be a threat to public health and safety.  Additionally, substandard products could reduce operational reliability and increase maintenance costs.

Counterfeit materials are infiltrating the North American construction market. This includes construction associated with water industry projects. Valves, pipe, circuit breakers, rotating equipment parts, electric equipment, fittings, pressure vessels, and cement are among the most commonly counterfeited items.

Relative industry standards are self-qualifying; therefore it is also recommended that owners/utilities/specifiers consider requiring all producers/manufacturers to certify in writing that all the testing and proof of design requirements as outlined in the standard have been met.

Practices specified in this policy statement are consistent with all other pertinent AWWA policy statements.

Approved by the Board of Directors June 9, 2013.