HEALTH AND SANITATION 31 that’ s irregular, and notify the homeowner via a smartphone whenever a leak occurs in the plumbing systems,” said Hugo Aguilar, P. E., senior vice-president of Codes and Standards at IAPMO.“ These devices can be installed locally at the fixture or at the main water supply. Adding leak detection systems to a rebuild will be good for resiliency.”
A significant feature of the 2023 WE • Stand is the inclusion of the IAPMO Water Demand Calculator in Chapter Five as a core tool for right-sizing water supply systems. The Water Demand Calculator, a revolutionary tool in modern plumbing design, allows professionals to determine pipe sizing more accurately, ensuring efficiency and costeffectiveness while preventing water stagnation and related risks.
These products follow the guidance of IAPMO Z1349: Devices for Detection, Monitoring or Control of Plumbing Systems, ensuring performance standards are met.
Sustainability and resiliency A resilient plumbing system is also a sustainable one. Systems that conserve water, reduce energy consumption and integrate alternative water sources help communities better manage resources and recover quickly after disasters.
Water-efficient solutions and practices include the use of waterconserving products designed with guidance on maximum flow rates to reduce consumption effectively without compromising functionality. Efficient HVAC systems can incorporate advanced features such as evaporative coolers with overflow alarms to alert building owners, tenants or maintenance personnel of excess water flow, minimising loss and condensate recovery systems that capture and reuse water from HVAC operations for non-potable purposes.
On-site non-potable water systems play a crucial role by collecting, storing and treating sources like recovered condensate and treated non-potable water for applications such as irrigation and cooling and flushing toilets. By adhering to specific requirements and guidelines, these solutions pave the way for innovative advancements in water management, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in both new and existing buildings.
Energy-efficient methods like smaller hot water footprints and technologies like WaterSense-certified fixtures further improve sustainability.
WE • Stand The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District has already recognised the value of the Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard( WE • Stand), adopting the 2020 version to guide efficient and resilient water use practices in the region. Communities rebuilding with resiliency in mind can turn to comprehensive standards like WE • Stand, the first American National Standard focused entirely on the efficient water use in buildings while maintaining safety. Developed by IAPMO, WE • Stand provides guidelines to improve water efficiency, conserve resources and ensure plumbing systems operate safely and effectively.
“ If right-sizing, energy efficiency, water-saving features and leak detection make sense to you, they are all incorporated in the WE • Stand, which isn’ t included in other documents in the base plumbing code,” Lohr said.
The 2023 WE • Stand includes:
• Right-sizing guidelines: Tools and guidance to ensure pipes are optimised for cost and performance
• Energy-efficiency provisions: Standards for efficient plumbing layouts and technologies like hot water recirculation systems
• WaterSense fixture requirements: Guidelines for water-saving fixtures that reduce usage without sacrificing performance.
• Smart leak detection: Recommendations for integrating advanced leak detection systems to prevent water damage and minimise loss
• HVAC water efficiency requirements: Provisions for evaporative coolers with overflow alarms to reduce water waste
• Condensate recovery systems: Requirements for capturing and treating onsite non-potable water
By adopting WE • Stand, jurisdictions can ensure that plumbing systems meet modern demands for efficiency, safety and resiliency, all while addressing the unique needs of their communities.
Collaboration is key Rebuilding resilient plumbing systems requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders. Engineers, plumbers, architects and policymakers must work together to design systems for long-term success. Educating homeowners about the benefits of right-sizing, efficient layouts and sustainable technologies ensures rebuilt systems meet immediate needs and long-term goals.
Path to resilient future Hurricanes Helene and Milton underscored the vulnerabilities in Southeastern plumbing infrastructure but also presented a chance to build better. Right-sizing pipes, efficient layouts and smart technologies form the foundation of resilient plumbing systems. Coupled with comprehensive frameworks, these strategies ensure that rebuilt systems are prepared for the challenges of the future. By focusing on resiliency, efficiency and collaboration, Southeastern communities can turn disaster recovery into progress, creating plumbing systems that meet today’ s needs while preparing for tomorrow’ s uncertainties. PA
April 2026 Volume 32 I Number 02 www. plumbingafrica. co. za