HEALTH AND SANITATION 31 and services bearing a WaterSense label are certified to use at least 20 % less water, save energy and perform as well as or better than regular models. These products include high-efficiency toilets, showerheads and faucets.
Reverse osmosis( RO) systems, which reduce contaminants from the water supplied to a particular fixture, are a popular way to improve water quality and purity. However, as a typical point-of-use RO system generates anywhere from 15 to 19 litres of reject water for every 3.8 litres of treated water produced, the desire to make such systems more efficient has gained momentum.
In November, the EPA released the WaterSense Specification for Point-of- Use Reverse Osmosis Systems, which requires systems to be at least 30 % efficient to earn the label. A point-of-use RO system bearing the WaterSense label will send 8.7 litres or fewer down the drain for every gallon of treated water it produces. Consumers installing a WaterSense-labeled model will reduce water use by an average of 11 700 litres a year compared to a typical system, a savings of 178 000 litres over the life of the system.
“ The intention is to increase that as the programme gains traction, as manufacturers can produce products that can exceed that 30 %, but the intention was to start somewhere,” IAPMO senior vice-president of water systems Tina Donda said.“ So, 30 % efficiency is where they have set that level right now.”
Donda said the value of communities using water-efficient products when rebuilding comes in their efforts to be part of an overall solution.
“ Water efficiency is not only related to you and what you use, so the more water you save, the more water is available for everybody else around you. I think that water efficiency is a responsibility of everyone, and it’ s not going to happen by one municipality, or by one homeowner. As rebuilding happens, more people getting on board puts us into a position to be in a better place overall with water scarcity issues in general,” she said. that because lawmakers often do not have backgrounds in the trades, it is vital for them to involve industry professionals in adopting codes and standards.
“ They don’ t have as much visibility into this sector and this industry, so the burden really is on them to have a very inclusive stakeholder process, some fact finding from the industry and say,‘ What’ s best for you and how can I help you get there?’ I think that ties into long-term planning and resiliency and creating the most sustainable communities that we can.”
Kaeini said a key way policymakers can ensure plumbing codes keep pace with emerging technologies – like rainwater catchment and grey water reuse – is by placing them in regulations rather than statutes. While laws reflect the most up-to-date, technologically advanced code or standard when passed, they can quickly become outdated. And because passing legislation can take years and multiple sessions, those laws can lag behind innovation.
Conversely, she said, if a regulator is emboldened by the legislature to manage plumbing standards through rulemaking, they can update them much more easily.“ The second that standard becomes updated, we can just go to the agency, they can open a rulemaking, whether it be a 30-day, 90-day notice, and boom – it’ s out there. They have the power and authority to update that regulation.”
Securing our water future Water efficiency in the Southeast is no longer just a response to drought – it’ s a critical strategy for creating more resilient, cost-effective and sustainable communities. With proven technologies, modern standards and smarter design tools available, the region is well-positioned to implement lasting solutions that reduce strain on water and energy systems. By aligning innovation with policy and encouraging collaboration across industries, Southeast communities can move beyond short-term fixes and build infrastructure that’ s prepared for the demands of the future. PA
Water-energy nexus Transporting and treating water requires substantial energy. As IAPMO vicepresident of strategic initiatives Christoph Lohr – who frequently writes and speaks about the‘ water-energy nexus’ – penned in a 2023 article,“ Water and energy are intertwined. Civilisations typically need two foundational things to thrive: Water / sanitation and cheap and reliable energy delivery. Water plays an integral role in the development of energy, but water use is also a large consumer of energy.”
When communities use water more efficiently, they lessen the strain on municipal treatment plants, cutting both energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Water conservation efforts do more than just reduce consumption – they also lower energy use and decrease carbon emissions. Heating water accounts for a significant portion of household energy consumption, and by using less hot water, households can cut energy bills while reducing their environmental footprint.
Developed by IAPMO, the aforementioned WE • Stand offers a comprehensive framework for improving water and energy efficiency in buildings, ensuring that conservation measures align with modern sustainability goals.
Enabling smarter codes Policymakers can play a critical role in supporting plumbers and builders by advancing effective codes and standards that promote water efficiency.
IAPMO senior director of government relations Christina Kaeini said it is important to adopt modern plumbing codes that ensure buildings are equipped with water-efficient fixtures. This could also include leak detection systems and harnessing on-site water reuse as part of an effort to seek alternative water sources and reduce the reliance on traditional water sources.
“ In this day and age, water efficiency is no longer an option; it’ s something we need to do to protect our water going forward into the future, and as we think about on-site water reuse, it doesn’ t make a lot of sense for us to continue to be using potable water for non-potable applications,” she said. Kaeini added
June 2026 Volume 32 I Number 04 www. plumbingafrica. co. za