Not all City of Reno manhole covers are made in India, but some are. We asked the City’s Matthew Brown why, and he said it falls under fiscal responsibility. The City also purchases manhole covers from at least two U.S. vendors.
From the City’s public works department:
“It’s likely that the ones that are made in India can be purchased at a lower cost. There are at least two foundries in the U.S. that make manhole covers, both of which have the template for the City of Reno covers. While we do have specifications on style, design, thickness, etc., we do not specify the country of origin in our documents.
“The City purchases very few manholes with corresponding frames and covers directly. Typically, a contractor or developer purchases/provides these products as part of their contract or development as part of a sewer collection system or storm drain system. The City occasionally purchases materials from a local vendor (Jensen Precast), which includes the concrete manhole sections, concrete cone, grade rings, and manhole frame with cover. In these instances, the City purchases what Jensen Precast has in stock.”
