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News from the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute
- 02.24.10
PMI Announces Hiring of Technical Specialist - The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) announces that Charles Hernandez has joined the organization as technical specialist, reporting to PMI’s executive director, Barbara C. Higgens
- 02.04.10
PMI Welcomes New Board Member and Committee Chair - The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) announces the election of Fernando Fernandez to the PMI Board of Directors as a director at large and the appointment of Michael Martinez as the co-chair of the Universal Conformity Assessment Committee.
- 02.01.10
PMI Names New Director of Strategy and Technology - David Hagopian has joined PMI as Director of Strategy and Technology. He will be responsible for analyzing and reporting proposed code and standard changes, maintaining and managing effective relationships with PMI members, certification agencies and industry peers and representing PMI at various industry meetings.
- 01.06.10
PMI Hosts 2010 Spring Meeting - The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) will host its 2010 Spring Meeting, March 14-17, at the Hotel Del Coronado, located in San Diego, CA. This year’s meeting will revolve around the theme “Expanding the Value.” Sustainability, legislation, regulation and standards harmonization remain high on PMI’s radar screen.
- 11.02.09
PMI Announces Dates and Locations for 2010 Meetings - The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) announces that it has chosen the dates and locations for its 2010 meetings.
- 10.31.09
PMI Hosts Fall Meeting - The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) hosted its Fall Meeting, October 11-14, 2009, at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. The theme for the Fall Meeting was “Shaping the Legacy for a Sustainable Future,” reflecting the growing mindset of efficiency and sustainability in the plumbing manufacturing industry.
- 10.30.09
PMI Announces 2010 Board President, Officers and New Board Members - Members of the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) elected Lee Mercer, director of product compliance for Moen Incorporated, Board President for the year 2010. Mr. Mercer was elected at the 2009 Fall Meeting held October 11-14 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA. Mr. Mercer succeeds 2009 PMI President, Walt Strader, vice president, strategic technology for Price Pfister (Ret.), who will continue to serve as PMI Immediate Past President.
- 10.16.09
PMI collaborates with the Alliance for Water Efficiency at Greenbuild and beyond - United in their goal to develop water efficient and sustainable plumbing products, systems and practices, the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) expands its collaboration with the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE). AWE will join PMI at Greenbuild 2009, booth #3746, to promote their shared initiatives and activities for water conservation and waste reduction.
- 08.04.09
PMI Leads Green Coalition to Drive New Water Efficiency Standards, including HETs, in Texas – A coalition led by the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute recently helped Texas join California as the second state nationwide to require high-efficiency toilets (HETs) in all new residential and commercial construction. An HET is defined as a water closet that uses no more than 1.28 gallons of water per flush (GPF), or 20% less than the 1.6-GPF models mandated by the National Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct).
- 08.04.09
PMI Announces Fall Meeting Dates
- 07.24.09
PMI Adopts New Position Statement Calling for Maximizing Consumer Choice and Water Efficiency - The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) recently adopted a new position statement advocating the efficient use of water while also maximizing consumer choice on water-saving products. As the new statement notes, “We believe that these two objectives are not mutually exclusive and can be achieved simultaneously.”
- 05.08.09
PMI Updates Mission Statement to Highlight “Environmental Sustainability” in Plumbing Products – The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) recently updated its mission statement, pledging to “promote the environmental sustainability of plumbing products, as well as water efficiency, health, safety and quality” and to “represent openly the members' interests and advocate for sound environmental policies in the regulatory/legislative processes.” This is the first significant change to the mission statement since its adoption in 2006.
- 02.18.09
Newly-Named ‘Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition’ (PERC) Identifies Drainline Transport as First Joint Project – The newly-named Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition, (PERC) formed last month through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), has identified Drainline Transport as its first research project. The Coalition is comprised of five industry organizations seeking to conduct much-needed research in a number of areas. Representing the Coalition on the initial conference call to establish the first project were: Mary Ann Dickinson, Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE); Pete De Marco, International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO); Jay Peters, International Code Council (ICC); Ike Casey, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC); and Barbara Higgens, Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI).
- 02.02.09
Plumbing Manufacturers Institute Announces Semi-Annual Spring Meeting Dates – The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) will host its semi-annual meeting on April 5-8, 2009 at The Grove Park Inn, located in Asheville, North Carolina. In these difficult economic times, the theme “Leading the Legacy” has been chosen to illustrate how PMI and its member companies are leading the way through the tumultuous economic downturn we are currently seeing.
- 01.06.09
Plumbing Manufacturers Institute Signs Memorandum of Understanding to Form a Water Efficiency Research Coalition – The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) participated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in a ceremony held in Washington DC January 6, at the offices of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson. PMI will partner with four other plumbing organizations to share research on water efficiency. The other organizations participating in the signing were the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC), the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), the International Code Council (ICC), and the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE).
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News About Clean Water
- 02.03.10
World Plumbing Day: March 11, 2010 – “… plumbing is a significant industry and a major contributor to public health and the environment. This year we have chosen the theme 'Plumbing-Vital to Global Health' with the intention being that we highlight just how much our industry contributes to both the health of our people and the health of our planet,” said Robert Burgon, World Plumbing Council chairman.
- 02.03.10
Plumbing and the Haiti Crisis – “The statistics in Haiti present some calamitous results. Twenty-nine percent of Haiti's total population (2.3 million) does not have access to potable water and this was before the earthquake. Even when a public water system is available, many have to travel long distances to collect the water and still it has to be purified. In addition, potable water is not free, for the 80% of Haitians who live in abject poverty the cost of clean drinking water is a significant challenge.”
- 01.15.10
AWWA urges relief to Haiti – “Access to safe drinking water is frequently among the first threats to survivors in impacted areas. The threat of waterborne disease may persist as the emergency response concludes and the reconstruction effort begins,” said AWWA Interim Executive Director Paula MacIlwaine.
- 01.15.10
World Health Organization Technical Notes for Emergencies – Following the natural disaster in Haiti, the Water, Engineering and Development Centre at Loughborough University, UK, posted these critical reminders from WHO regarding water use in emergency situations.
- 01.15.10
EPA Proposes Standards to Protect Florida’s Waters: Action would decrease amount of phosphorus and nitrogen pollution – “Nutrient pollution can damage drinking water sources; increase exposure to harmful algal blooms, which are made of toxic microbes that can cause damage to the nervous system or even death; and form byproducts in drinking water from disinfection chemicals, some of which have been linked with serious human illnesses like bladder cancer.”
- 01.13.10
Water for Haiti: Now – Dr. Peter Gleick calls for action, donation to help earthquake victims in Haiti.
- 01.12.10
Seven Priorities for EPA’s Future – Protecting America’s Waters listed among EPA’s top priorities.
- 01.06.10
EPA Proposes Designation of Michindoh Aquifer as Sole Source of Drinking Water – Michindoh aquifer is being discussed as the sole source of drinking water for an area comprising nine counties including parts of Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties in Indiana; Branch, Hillsdale and Lenawee counties in Michigan; and Defiance and Fulton counties, and all of Williams County in Ohio. The public comment period on the proposed decision has been extended until Jan. 29.
- 01.03.10
How can I help protect drinking water? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides resources for people to take an active role in ensuring safe drinking water for themselves and their communities.
- 01.01.10
Environmental Working Group ranks tap water in big cities - e rating for these “water utilities based on three factors: the total number of chemicals detected since 2004; the percentage of chemicals found of those tested; and the highest average level for an individual pollutant, relative to legal limits or national average amounts, including for the most common pollutants (disinfection byproducts, nitrate and arsenic).”
- 12.27.09
Saving our tap water: The problem and solution - Dr. Peter Gleick weighs in on safety of U.S. tap water. “Most of our tap water meets quality standards, most of the time. Drinking water that does not meet a federal health guideline will not necessarily make someone ill. Many contaminants are hazardous only if consumed for years, or not hazardous at all.”
- 12.23.09
Number of urban people without access to water may double by 2015 - Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor reports “that the number of the world's urban population without access to an improved source of drinking water will increase from 137 million (2006) to 296 million (2015).”
- 12.16.09
The New York Times publishes a series on U.S. water pollution and regulations
- 12.13.09
WaterAid America shares statistics on water use and sanitation issues - 1.4 million children die every year as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation. This amounts to around 4,000 deaths a day or one every 20 seconds.
- 12.11.09
Think outside the bottle - Water Technology reports that four states are “asking public employees to drink tap water and increase efforts to protect public water supplies.”
- 12.01.09
Copper as an antimicrobial - Three part series on copper's antimicrobial qualities from the Copper Development Association.
- 11.05.09
EPA Announces Regional Administrator for Region 9 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced President Barack Obama’s selection of Jared Blumenfeld to be the Agency’s Regional Administrator for EPA's Region 9. This region encompasses California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and over 140 Tribal Nations.
- 11.05.09
EPA Announces Regional Administrator for Region 6 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced President Barack Obama’s selection of Dr. Alfredo “Al” Armendariz to be the Agency's Regional Administrator for EPA's region 6. This region encompasses Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and 66 Tribal Nations.
- 11.05.09
EPA Announces Regional Administrator for Region 3 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced President Barack Obama’s selection of Shawn M. Garvin to be the agency’s new Regional Administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region (Region 3). This region encompasses Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
- 11.05.09
EPA Announces Regional Administrator for Region 2 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced President Barack Obama’s selection of Judith Enck to be the Agency’s Regional Administrator for EPA's region 2. This region encompasses New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and seven Tribal Nations.
- 11.05.09
EPA Announces Regional Administrator for Region 1 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced President Barack Obama’s selection of H. Curtis “Curt” Spalding to be the Agency’s Regional Administrator for EPA's region 1. This region encompasses Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and ten Tribal Nations.
- 10.29.09
New Global Public Opinion Survey Finds Water Issues are Top Environmental Concern Worldwide -
"A comprehensive global public opinion survey on attitudes about fresh water sustainability, management, and conservation finds that people around the world view water issues as the planet’s top environmental problem, greater than air pollution, depletion of natural resources, loss of habitat, and climate change."
Read more at: http://www.pacinst.org/press_center/press_releases/water_survey_08_09.html
See more at: http://www.circleofblue.org/waternews/2009/cob/waterviews/waterviews-infographics/
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News About Water Efficiency
- 03.01.10
DOE announces intention to pursue enforcement actions against the manufacturers of water-using appliances that violate national water and energy savings laws – “Almost all of the major manufacturers have done a great job in producing high-quality fixtures that meet the standards. But a few manufacturers have flouted the law by either failing to ensure that their water fixtures met the national standards, or by failing to prove it to federal regulators,” writes Dr. Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute, an internationally recognized water expert and a MacArthur Fellow.
- 02.25.10
DOE institutes enforcement action against four showerhead manufacturers – “On December 9, 2009, DOE announced that manufacturers would be granted a 30-day window, until January 8, 2010, to submit correct certification data to DOE, after which time DOE would begin to aggressively enforce violations of its certification requirements, including seeking civil penalties or fines. These are the first actions taken following expiration of the 30-day grace period,” reported Alliance for Water Efficiency.
- 02.08.10
DEC TV - Green Household Tips for Saving Financial and Natural Resources – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is starting off 2010 with a series of online videos designed to show how small actions can lead to big savings on energy and water usage in households.
- 02.07.10
Fix A Leak Week: March 15-21, 2010 – Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, 11,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks? More than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year.
- 02.05.10
EPA announces a new pilot grant program… – …designed to help three states – New York, Maryland and California – use their clean water funding programs to support efforts to make communities more sustainable.
- 02.05.10
What Life is Like Working in a Green Building? – “It is not enough to simply build a green building; a big part of the equation is how the building is operated and the behavior of the occupants.”
- 02.02.10
Low flow delivered high satisfaction with at least 25 percent in water savings for 21 homeowners... – ...in two suburban Atlanta communities who volunteered to replace their existing plumbing products with high-efficiency WaterSense®-certified models. “We want to convince homeowners, building professionals and legislators that water conservation doesn’t mean sacrifice,” said Tommy Linstroth, water-savings expert and principal at Trident Sustainability Group.
- 02.01.10
Testing the Water: Smart Metering for Water Utilities – Oracle shares downloadable report of survey results from more than 1,200 water consumers and 300 water utility managers in the United States and Canada. “Consumers believe receiving more detailed information on their water consumption will be a key factor in motivating their water conservation efforts.”
- 02.01.10
Pick 5 for the Environment – EPA asks people to committing to at least five actions to protect the environment. #1 is Use less water.
- 01.28.10
DOE institutes enforcement action against four showerhead manufacturers – The Office of General Counsel has issued Notices of Proposed Civil Penalty to four showerhead manufacturers, which collectively propose payments to the government in excess of $3 million. The notices were issued for failing to certify to the Department of Energy (DOE) that showerheads manufactured or distributed by these companies meet the applicable water conservation standard as required by the Energy Policy Conservation Act and DOE’s regulations. These certification reports provide DOE with information critical to determining that American consumers are buying products that deliver significant water- and cost-savings in accord with DOE’s regulations. Unless the manufacturers settle these claims within 30 days, the Department will file actions either in District Court or with an Administrative Law Judge to demand payment for the failure to certify their products.
- 01.28.10
Students learn by seeing sustainability in action – “Incorporation of visible features of sustainability and energy and water measurement devices that display data for students to see and use are essential to development of curricula related to the features of the sustainable school building.” Read more at Green Building News.
- 01.25.10
Measuring Toilet Performance – free testing report available for download – Now in its 15th edition, the 2009 Maximum Performance (MaP) Testing report provides performance information on more than 1,200 different toilet fixture models. Many of these models are WaterSense-certified, high-efficiency toilets (HETs).
- 01.21.10
Water conservation plan unveiled – “…three of Water in the West’s current concrete goals: pioneering low-energy distributed treatment systems, examining some of the contaminants that make people wary of drinking recycled water and getting rid of some of the institutional barriers that make water reclamation difficult.”
- 01.15.10
WaterSmart Guidebook for Business Available Through AWE – The Alliance for Water Efficiency teamed with the East Bay Municipal Utility District to share the “WaterSmart Guidebook: A Water Use Efficiency Plan and Review Guide for New Businesses.” This downloadable document is available in its entirety, as well as by type of water-using technologies such as restroom and plumbing, and by specific business types such as for schools, office buildings, hospitals and other applications.
- 01.12.10
Kitchen and Bath Design Trends Announced for 2010 – Pull-out kitchen faucets noted among the newer kitchen trends that are gaining in popularity.
- 01.12.10
Fix A Leak Week – Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, 11,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks? More than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year.
- 01.12.10
Water Saving Tips from UK Work in US, too. – Video and other resources from United Kingdom’s Energy Saving Trust helps demonstrate what little changes in the home save water, energy and money.
- 01.11.10
Water conservation makes Top 10 list for Northwest states – The Earth Advantage Institute, which works with the construction industry to support sustainable home building, says green building was a bright spot in 2009 in what was an otherwise dreary year for the industry. The organization’s lists 10 trends it believes will become increasingly important through 2010 and beyond.
- 01.11.10
NAHB Helps Make WaterSense More Workable for Builders – “NAHB was especially interested in clarifying the intentions of specific program requirements and avoiding duplicative paperwork and inspections that might discourage industry participation.”
- 01.08.10
Save Water With New iPhone App – Sloan’s new Save H2O calculator is a free application for the iPhone that allows users to determine water usage and potential savings.
- 01.04.10
Coming Up Short: What Water Conservation Means for Business – IBM Big Green Innovations shares suggestions and research: “About 77 percent of those surveyed felt that water management was extremely critical to their business, yet 51 percent said they lacked formal guidelines for implementing it and an additional 63 percent of executives said they lacked access to integrated water management systems.”
- 01.02.10
Low-Flow Showerheads: How to Choose – “Thanks to innovative new technology, today’s super-efficient low-flow showerheads save water, reduce your energy bills, and still feel good to use.”
- 01.01.10
Water efficiency to play bigger role in residential projects – Professional Remodeler reports that low-flow fixtures are among the top water conservation measures among residential contractors.
- 12.29.09
Coalition asks President Obama for Recognition of Water Efficiency Alongside Energy Efficiency in Future Jobs Legislation – Letter “urged the President to propose to Congress the inclusion of plumbing and irrigation efficiency retrofits in legislation to create green jobs and boost the economy.”
- 12.29.09
“Is Bottled Water Really That Bad? Yes,” reports Fast Company magazine. – Infographic created by Online Education
“We pitch into landfills 38 billion water bottles a year – in excess of $1 billion worth of plastic.”
- 12.23.09
Water Prize finalists awash with innovative ideas – The inaugural global competition, Imagine H2O Prize, rewards business plans that offer the greatest promise of breakthroughs in the efficient use and supply of water.
- 12.17.09
EPA WaterSense for homes finalized – “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense Single-Family New Home Specification, under which homes will use 20 percent less water than typical new houses, was finalized December 9,” reports Residential Architect.
- 12.16.09
Facility managers surveyed on water costs and conservation – “72 percent of the respondents indicate installing water-conserving fixtures and systems is either important or very important,” reports Sustainable Facility.
- 12.15.09
Charting our water future – The 2030 Water Resources Group offers free, downloadable report with case studies from four countries with drastically different water issues, which will collectively account for 40 percent of the world’s population. “The report's methodology identifies supply- and demand-side measures that could constitute a more cost effective approach to closing the water gap and achieve savings in each country.”
- 12.01.09
New Ways to Improve Water Efficiently – Building Design+Construction publishes plumbing technologies AIA Continuing Education Series
- 12.01.09
Make a splash about water – Alliance for Water Efficiency describes how "too many water efficiency guidelines are drowning designers with options and diluting progress on this vital issue."
- 12.01.09
House approves bills to improve the integration of energy and water research – “This legislation is the product of several recommendations from the Committee's hearings on water and reports from the National Academies, the Government Accountability Office, the National Science Technology Council, and the Department of Energy (DOE). In addition, this bill has been endorsed by the Water Innovations Alliance, NanoH2O Inc., and the Alliance for Water Efficiency.”
- 11.27.09
“Saving Water, One Frame at a Time...” – The Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition showcases the short films produced by green build industry workers and filmmakers, designed to raise awareness for water protection and conservation. The short films, from one to 10 minutes, are encouraged to explore creative methods and designs to "manage and use earth's most precious resource responsibly."
- 11.25.09
Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk – “Grand Canyon Adventure immerses audiences in one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, delivering a giant-screen experience that not only shares a valuable lesson about water conservation, but entertains audiences with a rip-roaring whitewater adventure down the Colorado River.” Read about world water crisis facts and tips for conserving water at home, download a teacher’s guide, play interactive activities and find show times.
- 11.20.09
Did you know? – Americans now use an average of 100 gallons of water each day.
- 11.17.09
USGBC’s Greenbuild Conference opens with celebration at Chase Field – David Kohler, president and chief operating officer of Kohler Co., and USGBC President, CEO and Founding Chair Rick Fedrizzi spoke to an audience of more than 28,000, stressing the importance of green building.
- 11.08.09
The State Of The Green Building Movement – “Total water savings from LEED through 2009 is estimated at 15 billion gallons, comprising 0.5% of annual non-residential water use. By 2030, LEED results in nearly 1.3 trillion gallons of saved water, equivalent to 30% of current annual non-residential water use,” reports Rich Cartlidge, LEED AP.
- 11.04.09
Water Works – Kitchen and Bath Business magazine gives the lowdown on low-flow showerheads.
- 11.01.09
What Building Teams and Home Builders Can Do To Confront the Pending Crisis in Water Scarcity – Building Design+Construction published a new White paper titled, “Green Buildings + Water Performance.” The paper focuses on the role of water in sustainable design and construction, and concludes with a set of 21 detailed recommendations for builders, developers, building owners, government officials, industry associations, NGOs, and the public with regard to water performance.
- 10.22.09
Kohler Co. is 2009 EPA National Watersense Manufacturer of the Year – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Kohler Co. recently as the WaterSense Manufacturing Partner of the Year for two years running. Kohler, a Wisconsin plumbing manufacturer received the award for its commitment to water efficiency. The company has promoted EPA's WaterSense and its WaterSense-labeled plumbing fixtures across the country.
- 10.19.09
EPA's WaterSense Label Available for First Commercial Building Product – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released its first WaterSense specification for a commercial building product. WaterSense labeled flushing urinals will use 50 percent less water than standard urinals, saving businesses 4,000 gallons of water per year for every model installed.
- 10.08.09
EPA Honors Virginia Agency as Water Efficiency Leader – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has named James City Service Authority, James City, Va., as the national small utility WaterSense partner of the year for 2009.
- 10.08.09
EPA Recognizes Lowe's As Water Efficiency Leader – More than 1,000 WaterSense partners helped Americans save 9.3 billion gallons of water in 2008. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named five of them, including Lowe's Companies, Inc., headquartered in Mooresville, N.C., as the 2009 WaterSense Partners of the Year.
- 10.08.09
EPA Recognizes Cobb County Water System in Georgia as Water Efficiency Leader – The Cobb County Water System worked with Kohler, Lowe's and other WaterSense partners to promote the state of Georgia's first sales tax holiday in October 2008 for WaterSense-labeled products. During that time, Cobb County saw a 400 percent increase in WaterSense-labeled toilet purchases.
- 08.27.09
Water Wars Move From Courtroom To Bathroom:
Atlanta Seeks To Conserve Precious Resource – Research conducted by the American Water Works Association has determined that adopting existing water-efficient technology could reduce indoor daily water usage to 45 gallons per person for single-family homes, a savings of 25 percent to 48 percent.
- 07.31.09
Leading the Legacy with Creative Water Solutions – Bad Energy Plan; Jimmy Carter nagging the American people that if they would only wear sweaters, turn the lights off and heat down and drive less we would solve the energy crisis. Good Energy Plan; Since Mr. Carter's presidency we have generated energy efficiency improvements which have saved 50% of the energy that otherwise would have been used.
- 07.29.09
High Efficiency Toilets (HETs): Why “Flushing With Confidence” Is Here to Stay – by C.J. Lagan, Manager, Compliance Engineering, American Standard Brands
The National Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) required plumbing fixture manufacturers to reduce toilet water consumption from 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) to 1.6 gpf. The resulting debate is still fresh in the mind of the American consumer.
- 03.06.09
Hansgrohe Employee-Volunteers Upgrade 2,500 Faucets to Help Save Water and the Environment – Hansgrohe personnel spend a recent Saturday equipping new bathroom faucets from stock with low-flow aerators to save 2.4 million gallons of water annually.
- 08.08 Building Design+Construction Magazine (page 36)
Do's and Don'ts of Super-Low-Flow Showerheads – by Shawn Martin, Technical Director, PMI
Switching to an enhanced water-saving showhead is no slam dunk, whether for new or retrofit work. Poor design and improper specs can leave bathers bruised, shivering, and even scalded.
- 07.29.08
High Efficiency Toilets (HETs): Why “Flushing With Confidence” Is Here to Stay – by C.J. Lagan, Manager, Compliance Engineering, American Standard Brands
The National Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) required plumbing fixture manufacturers to reduce toilet water consumption from 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) to 1.6 gpf. The resulting debate is still fresh in the mind of the American consumer.
- 07.07 World Plumbing Review (page 70)
Good System Design Saves More Than Water – by Shawn Martin, Technical Director, PMI
Around the world, water use is quickly emerging in many areas as a critical issue in the design and construction of housing. Improvements to plumbing design will need to look at the system as a whole, including piping system design, greywater reuse, rainwater collection, user behavior and alternative water heating systems. In many cases, this not only improves performance but also means savings in installation time and costs.
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News About Health & Safety
- 02.07.10
$10 Billion for EPA Requested in Federal Budget for Fiscal 2011 – “This amount will strengthen the EPA's program implementation, research, regulation, and comprehensive enforcement activities.” It includes: $3.3 billion total for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds; $1.3 billion to help states and tribes protect their air, water, and land; $17 million for the Mississippi River Basin; $63 million for the Chesapeake Bay restoration; $300 million for restoration efforts in the Great Lakes basin.
- 01.06.10
EPA Releases National Water Program Research Strategy to Advance and Broaden Research Partnerships – The strategy outlines the water program’s four research priorities: healthy watersheds and coastal waters, safe drinking water, sustainable water infrastructure and water security. Each priority also focuses on five technical areas: aquatic life health effects, human health effects, method development, occurrence and exposure, and treatment technologies and effectiveness.
- 11.03.09
International Code Council Foundation Announces Plans for Building Safety Month – Four core themes will be highlighted during month-long campaign in May 2010: Energy & Green Building; Disaster Safety & Mitigation; Fire Awareness & Safety and Backyard Safety.
- 10.05.09
Recent study points to showerheads as bacterial breeding ground – Ed Perratore, ConsumerReports.org
".... M. avium, often present in soil, is among a class of nontuberculous mycobacteria, or NTM, described as 'ubiquitous' by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But although M. avium accounts for most known infections by NTM, M. avium has not been well documented as a source of infection..."
- 09.23.09
No Need for Panic About 'Toxic' Shower Heads: Reality Check – Harry Sawyers, PopularMechanics.com
"... exposure to Mycobacterium avium – the scapegoat microorganism in the toxic shower head scare prompted by a recent University of Colorado study – is quite common. ..."
- 09.21.09
Majority of Respondents Haven't Changed Hand Washing Habits in Response to H1N1 Virus – Worries about the spread of the H1N1 virus haven't changed the majority of Americans' hand washing habits, according to a national survey conducted by Bradley Corporation, a leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing fixtures and washroom accessories. In Bradley's first Healthy Hand Washing Survey, 54 percent of the 1,020 respondents said they "wash their hands no more or less frequently" in public restrooms as a result of the H1N1 virus.
- 02.09.09
Bugged Out: Get to know antimicrobial products – by Shawn Martin, Technical Director, PMI
Antimicrobial products have appeared in many areas of our lives. But when it comes to kitchen and bath products, do we really understand what antimicrobial materials are and what they do? For many, the answer is "no," and misperceptions of these products abound. For dealers, designers and consumers alike, it pays to understand what to expect from products incorporating antimicrobial protections.
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Industry News & Events
- 02.07.10
Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (K/BIS): April 14-18, 2010 – McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
- 02.07.10
World Water Day: March 22, 2010
- 02.07.10
Fix A Leak Week: March 15-21, 2010 – Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, 11,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks? More than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year.
- 02.07.10
2010 WateReuse California Annual Conference: March 7-9, 2010 – Paradise Point Resort & Spa, San Diego, CA
- 02.02.10
CamBuild 2010 – Cambodia International Building & Construction Industry Show is finalizing its list of exhibitors for the Sept. 23-25 conference dates.
- 02.01.10
UK Bathroom Manufacturers Share Business and Consumer Trends – Sustainability and minimalist designs hold the top trending spots. The report also notes aesthetic leaning toward polished brass and nickel, and rich accent colors. In addition to enhanced functionality with water efficiency, there are continued opportunities for products that serve the aging population and those with limited dexterity or mobility.
- 02.01.10
Explore the History of Plumbing – About.com compiles links to some of the most comprehensive, online chronologies for toilets and plumbing.
- 01.31.10
States’ and Counties’ Estimated Use of Water Available for Download – The U.S. Geological Survey presents downloadable tables of each state’s county-level water use. Published in October 2009, the data files reflect estimates from 2005. Previous records for 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000 also are available.
- 01.11.10
Plumbing, Heating Products Shine at Greenbuild – “Many plumbing and heating manufacturers, who likely would not have been here just three years ago, exhibited at Greenbuild 2009.”
- 12.14.09
10¢ Bottled Water Fee Proposed in Michigan – “In an effort to revive the state's college scholarship program, Lt. Gov. John Cherry is proposing a 10-cents-per-bottle fee on Michigan companies that sell bottled water,” reports Water Technology.
- 12.01.09
Greenbuild 2009 Speakers' Videos Available Online – Review the master speakers' messages such as Peter Gleick, co-founder and president of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security, and author of the biennial water report, The World's Water.
- 11.19.09
A Brief History of Toilets – In honor of World Toilet Day, Time published this brief synopsis.
- 11.19.09
Largest Study of UK Showering Habits - Ages 55+ shower for less time than other age groups – "The older generation takes around 5 minutes less in the shower than youngsters aged 18 to 24," according to research by Waterwise. The organization focuses on decreasing water consumption in the UK and building the evidence base for large scale water efficiency.
- 11.18.09
Plumbing Named To Top 50 In-Demand Occupations List – Plumbing & Mechanical reports that the plumbing industry is among the top 50 occupations for job stability, median wage and anticipated demand.
- 11.01.09
Of Banana Peels and Civic Infrastructure – "With increased attention in many cities to the challenges of dealing with food waste, disposers are becoming a new focus of interest for their role as environmental management tools — and also shine a spotlight on wastewater treatment plants and their ability to turn food waste sent there into renewable energy." Read the full article by InSinkErator's David MacNair in Supply House Times.
- 10.30.09
U.S. Demand for Plumbing Fixtures and Fittings is Predicted to Reach $11 Billion in 2013 – "Continuing consumer interest in having homes with more and larger bathrooms will promote demand for fixtures and associated fittings. Further gains in demand will be driven by increasing consumer desire for fixtures and fittings that reduce water use." The market report is available for sale through Freedonia.
- EVENT: September 23-25, 2010
CamBuild 2010 – Cambodia International Building & Construction Industry Show
- EVENT: April 14-18, 2010
Kitchen & Bath Industry Show – McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
- EVENT: April 11-14, 2010
The Water Research Conference in Lisbon, Portugal – Including presentations on microbial ecology of drinking water and waste water treatment processes.
- EVENT: March 25, 2010
Abstracts due for WateReuse Australia – Scheduled for Sydney in mid-November, 2010, this specialty conference will focus on practical aspects of water reuse and desalination as well as relevant research being conducted in the U.S. and Australia.
- EVENT: March 22, 2010
World Water Day
- EVENT: March 15-21, 2010
Fix A Leak Week – Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, 11,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks? More than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year.
- EVENT: March 11, 2010
World Plumbing Day – “… plumbing is a significant industry and a major contributor to public health and the environment. This year we have chosen the theme 'Plumbing-Vital to Global Health' with the intention being that we highlight just how much our industry contributes to both the health of our people and the health of our planet,” said Robert Burgon, World Plumbing Council chairman.
- EVENT: March 7-9, 2010
2010 WateReuse California Annual Conference – Paradise Point Resort & Spa, San Diego, CA
- EVENT: February 3-5, 2010
Strategic Opportunities in Water Technologies – Techmart Network Meeting Center, San Jose, CA
“The US EPA forecasts $277 billion will need to be spent on water infrastructure by 2019, while some market analysts put the tag as high as $600 billion. With so many markets growing and evolving, each segment has its own unique needs, distribution channels and competitive dynamics. Developers, vendors and distributors of water solutions, as well as investors, have an uphill climb to identify the markets most in need of their products, how they fit in each competitive landscape, and how to position their products for maximum profitability.”
- EVENT: February 2, 2010
IAPMO 2010 UPC, UMC Proposals Due – PM Engineer reports that the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), publisher of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), is calling for formal code proposals toward the development of the 2012 editions of these American National Standard designated model codes.
- EVENT: February 1, 2010
IAPMO 2010 UPC, UMC Proposals Due – PM Engineer reports that the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), publisher of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), is calling for formal code proposals toward the development of the 2012 editions of these American National Standard designated model codes.
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