Aging infrastructure and water scarcity issues continue to present challenges for ensuring that homes and business have access to clean, safe drinking water. Flint, Mich.’s lead contamination catastrophe appears to have spurred a nationwide spotlight on the problems with America’s drinking water. ASSE’s response has been to include a new industry segment to the association. We have defined ASSE’s Water Systems program to include residential and commercial drinking water-conditioning and treatment products. Examples of these products include water softeners, water filters (point of use and point of entry), reverse osmosis systems, ultraviolet light equipment, and water conditioners. Since this segment of the plumbing industry has not been a focus for ASSE, it lacks product performance standards, professional qualification standards, and sufficient code language.
Although there are some existing standards being used to evaluate mostly residential water treatment equipment, there are many technologies and performance claims in which standards do not exist. ASSE intends to create new standards where needed and work with outside standards developers to enhance existing standards. Water treatment professionals and manufactures have been eager to volunteer their time to create performance standards to fill the gaps in the industry and help ensure product safety. ASSE’s Product Standards Committee (PSC) is in the process of developing several new standards for water-conditioning and treatment products.
In August, ASSE published its first water treatment Listing Evaluation Criteria (LEC): ASSE LEC 2002-2017, Shower Filtration for Reduction of Chloramine. An ASSE LEC document establishes the initial rules and performance requirements for unique products in the marketplace. When combined with ASSE third-party certification, this LEC offers the opportunity for chloramine reducing shower filter devices to gain traction in the marketplace. Also, working groups for two additional standards are nearing completion. ASSE 1086, Performance Requirements for Reverse Osmosis Water Efficacy – Drinking Water, is being developed to provide test methods for companies that create high efficient ROs. These test methods will verify the system or membrane performance and ensure that the membrane life is being diminished with the high efficiency requirements. Since traditional RO technology produces high quality water inefficiently, this new technology will be extremely valuable – especially in regions of the country focused on water conservation. ASSE 1087, Performance Requirements for Commercial and Food Service Water Treatment, is being developed to provide test methods for commercial water treatment products. Today, many commercial water treatment installations are done using non-certified products; the 1087 standard will provide minimum safety and performance requirements for these products.
Professional qualifications (PQ) standards and certifications have played key roles in ASSE’s strategic initiatives for years. Plumbers and water treatment dealers are actively working on a new PQ standard for installation and maintenance of water treatment equipment. ASSE Series 22000, Professional Qualifications Standard for Water Treatment Equipment Personnel, will expand our PQ program offerings to the water-conditioning and treatment segment of the industry. With stories of poor water quality making headlines across the country, and increasing consumer demand for water treatment systems, the need for qualified, knowledgeable professionals to install and maintain these systems has never been higher. Since there are no established qualifications standards or third-party certifications for water treatment equipment installers, some of these devices are being installed improperly – plumbers may lack the necessary knowledge to properly setup water treatment equipment, and water treatment dealers may lack the necessary knowledge to properly size and plumb water treatment systems. The goal of the ASSE 22000 program is to offer an industry-composed standard, developed by both water treatment and plumbing professionals, along with an industry-developed certification program to provide water treatment installers with the necessary skills, and code and technology competencies to safely and correctly install and maintain water treatment equipment. The result will be properly trained professionals, properly operating water treatment equipment, and safer, healthier, and happier water consumers.
Now that the 2018 codes have been published, it’s time to begin working on 2021 revisions. Currently, the model codes do not adequately address water-conditioning and treatment products, or professional qualifications for proper installation and maintenance of this equipment. ASSE is working with industry partners to review current code requirements and collaborate with our members to ensure that proposed revisions for the 2021 code cycles properly address water-conditioning and treatment products. Items that ASSE members plan to address this code cycle include the addition of new product standards to test and certify products, improvement of cross-connection control / backflow prevention language, the addition of proper equipment sizing requirements that utilize flow rate and pressure drop information, and the inclusion of more complete definitions of water conditioning or treatment equipment. It will also be critical to include references to the ASSE 22000 PQ standard where applicable in the code language. Without trained professionals, improper installation of certified equipment can present health and safety concerns.
ASSE’s expansion into the water-conditioning and treatment segment of our industry has created some exciting opportunities for the association. This addition expands our industry responsibilities around our motto, “Prevention Rather Than Cure.” I would like to thank the ASSE Board for their vision and direction that encouraged ASSE to expand its programs and services to the water-conditioning and treatment industry.
