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1993 : LEED programme – The Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Environment Design programme was created by the U . S . Green Building Council , and is a non-profit organisation based in Washington , D . C . It is the most widely used system for rating green buildings in the world and is based on third-party verification of a building ’ s design , construction and operation in categories involving environmental sustainability and energy efficiency .
1999 : Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) – Characterised by DeMarco as a “ profound piece of legislation ” the ADA initially required manufacturers to redesign bathroom fixtures including lavatories , toilets and urinals specifically for people with disabilities . Over time , this led to the development of universal designs for use by both disabled and non-disabled individuals that are preferred for use in buildings today .
2000 : World Plumbing Council ( WPC ) – An international organisation headquartered in Switzerland , the WPC is dedicated to the growth and development of the world ’ s plumbing industries by improving their ability to deal with issues that include public health and the environment . With members in more than 30 countries , the WPC helped establish 11 March as World Plumbing Day , and sponsors the triennial World Plumbing Conference .
2003 : ANSI accreditation – Recognition of IAPMO ’ s Uniform Codes by the American National Standards Institute ( ANSI ) starting in 2003 gave greater confidence to the codes ’ users that the codes were developed using a highly reputable and widely accepted process . This process requires the use of an open , consensus-based approach that provides all potential stakeholders — including the public — with reasonable opportunities to participate .
2003 : maximum performance ( MaP ) scores – MaP scores were developed by a group of 22 organisations in the United States and Canada to objectively determine how much solid waste a toilet can dispose of in a single flush . While testing is voluntary , more than 4 500 different tank-type toilets made by more than 160 manufacturers have been tested , and MaP scores are posted online for consumers to consult at no charge to assist them when purchasing a toilet .
2006 : WaterSense – The EPA ’ s 2006 voluntary WaterSense Certification Programme took EPAct92 one step further by requiring an additional 20 percent improvement in product water use efficiency . According to DeMarco , who co-chaired a committee advocating its adoption , WaterSense standards have become so widely accepted they ’ ve “ even become the law of the land in some states and counties around the country .”
2014 : Emerging Water Technology Symposium ( EWTS ) – Coconvened annually by IAPMO , ASPE , AWE and PMI , the EWTS provides an opportunity for attendees to learn about and discuss emerging technologies that can benefit water safety and sustainability with leading experts from around the world . DeMarco was the technical facilitator for the first six of these events that he says “ position the United States at the forefront of these issues ” in a forum that increasingly involves international participation .
2015 : pathogen control standards – Aguilar notes that guidelines for preventing the growth of Legionella first appeared during the late
1990s , with the 2015 ASHRAE Standard 188 becoming one of the most prominent . Awareness of the need to control other potential contaminants , he adds , has since led to the process of developing ASHRAE Standard 514 “ to address the prevention of injury and disease from Legionella as well as other waterborne pathogens , chemicals and physical hazards .”
2017 : WE • Stand – Introduced in 2017 , IAPMO ’ s Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard is “ revolutionary ” Aguilar maintains , in that “ it is the first industry standard that focused exclusively on achieving safer and efficient water use in both residential and non-residential buildings .” Published utilising ANSI-accredited development procedures , the 2020 edition encompasses everything from waterefficient plumbing fixtures and appliances to composting toilets and rainwater catchment systems .
2018 : Water treatment standards – In response to high-profile media reports of lead and other contaminants found in municipal drinking water supplies , both point-of-entry and point-of-use water filtration systems burgeoned in popularity . To ensure safer and more reliable performance , standards for these systems were established by ASSE International , NSF International and IAPMO starting in 2018 that were later referenced in the 2021 UPC .
2021 : Water Demand CalculatorTM ( WDC ) – The WDC was developed by IAPMO to replace the nearly 90-year-old Hunter ’ s curve previously used to calculate pipe requirements that Aguilar says were “ grossly oversized ” based on today ’ s flow rates . “ With WDC ,” he explains , “ all you have to do is enter the number of fixtures you have , and it gives you the flow rate you need to right-size your pipe requirements .”
FAST-FORWARD TO THE FUTURE
Looking ahead , many of the problems of the past will undoubtedly persist , while others , such as those precipitated by climate change , for example , will certainly emerge . In spite of this , Aguilar believes the experience gained and the lessons learned from the last half-century have made the industry “ more resilient and better prepared ” to confront the challenges of tomorrow .
DeMarco agrees , saying “ We ’ re way better off because the plumbing industry in total , including manufacturers , utilities , and certainly the organisations who ’ ve worked so hard behind the scenes to apply the right standards and solutions , have helped ensure that when we do encounter new problems , they ’ ll be worked on with the same rigor as the others and with much better knowledge .”
Which is a fitting tribute to all those who ’ ve participated in the progress of the plumbing industry over the last 50 years . PA
Looking ahead , many of the problems of the past will no doubt persist .
February 2024 Volume 29 I Number 12 www . plumbingafrica . co . za