In 2024, more plumbing products became eligible to earn the WaterSense® label, giving plumbing engineers and designers a variety of options to help their customers save water and reduce their utility costs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched WaterSense as a partnership and voluntary product labeling program in 2006, with the goal to give consumers and businesses a way to identify plumbing and irrigation products that save water and perform well. WaterSense-labeled products are third party certified to use at least 20 percent less water, save energy, and perform as well as or better than regular models. Since the program launched, WaterSense labeled products have helped save 8.7 trillion gallons of water and $207 billion in water and energy bills. To date, more than 45,000 models of plumbing and irrigation products have earned the label.

As more parts of the country face increasing droughts and water supply issues, the EPA introduced new product specifications and refined its existing labeled product criteria to encourage greater water efficiency. The following updates were shared at IAPMO’s Industry Advisory Forum in September or have been subsequently announced by the program.

REDUCING WASTE FROM REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS

In 2024, the EPA allowed labeling of in-home water treatment systems, finalizing a specification for point-of-use reverse osmosis (RO) systems. RO systems can effectively remove a wide range of contaminants from drinking water, including lead, PFAS, nitrates, and pesticides. However, during the treatment process, RO systems reject some water that is typically discharged as waste — between 4 and 10 gallons per gallon of treated water in most systems — making these systems more water-intensive than other treatment methods, such as filtration. To encourage manufacturers to design and offer systems that reduce this water waste, the EPA initiated point-of-use RO specification development in 2022.

The EPA decided not to label point-of-entry RO systems in this specification. Although point-of-entry systems are commonly equipped with electric booster pumps or other design elements to improve efficiency, treating the full volume of water needed for all household end uses — including toilet flushing, showering, and clothes washing that do not require treated water — results in a greater amount of reject water that is wasted from the system. In most cases, a point-of-use system is sufficient to fulfill the treatment goals of end users, while limiting the quantity of water waste.

The EPA’s final specification was released in November 2024. To earn the WaterSense label, pointof-use RO systems must have an efficiency rating of 30 percent or greater while rejecting no more than 2.3 gallons per gallon of treated water. The EPA estimates that selecting a WaterSense labeled RO system in place of a traditional RO system could save a typical household more than 3,100 gallons of water and $50 in water and wastewater costs per year.

As with all WaterSense specifications, the EPA included performance criteria for RO systems earning the label. First, the WaterSense specification requires that all claims regarding reduction of contaminants such as arsenic, PFAS, VOCs, and others be verified in accordance with NSF/ANSI 58, the primary U.S. industry standard for point-of-use RO systems.

Second, WaterSense requires testing to ensure RO membrane effectiveness is not negatively impacted by operating more efficiently. This testing addresses some concerns raised during specification development that membranes in high-efficiency systems are more prone to fouling and would require more frequent replacement. The specification references membrane lifespan test methods in ASSE 1086, Performance Requirements for Reverse Osmosis Water Efficiency — Drinking Water, the ANSI standard designed to improve RO system water efficiency, which helped kick-start WaterSense’s efforts.

During specification development, the EPA found that information related to RO system water efficiency and contaminant reduction is not always available to consumers. To help purchasers make informed decisions, WaterSense-labeled RO system packaging and website descriptions must clearly indicate information related to system water use and contaminant reduction for arsenic, lead, hexavalent chromium, trivalent chromium, nitrate/nitrite, and PFAS. The EPA says it plans to coordinate with the NSF Drinking Water Treatment Units technical committee to incorporate similar requirements into NSF/ANSI 58, ensuring that all systems meet information transparency requirements in the future.

In conjunction with the new RO system labeling specification, the EPA published two guides to help educate consumers on the water treatment systems they might purchase for their homes: a guide to help consumers understand water quality issues and identify the best treatment option for their needs, including less water-intensive filtration systems; and a guide to selecting and maintaining an RO system based on contaminant reduction and water efficiency. The RO specification and consumer guides are available for download at www.epa.gov/watersense/point-use-reverse-osmosis-systems.

ENSURING WATER SAVINGS IN DUAL-FLUSH TANK-TYPE TOILETS

In May 2024, the EPA completed its first major revision to one of its product specifications, publishing Version 2.0 of its WaterSense Specification for Tank-Type Toilets. The primary change is that the EPA now requires the full-flush of a dual-flush toilet to be 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf) or less. Under the previous specification, WaterSense-labeled dual-flush toilets were allowed to have a full-flush volume of up to 1.6 gpf. Only the effective flush volume, which was calculated based on the average volumes of two reduced flushes and one full flush, needed to be at or below 1.28 gpf.

The EPA said it reviewed multiple studies and determined that this ratio of reduced to full flushes is not always achieved, even in residential settings where tank-type toilets are more prevalent. Additional studies suggested that even users who intend to use the reduced flush setting can be confused by the activation designs. To ensure WaterSense-labeled toilets save significant amounts of water regardless of the flush chosen, the EPA eliminated the effective flush volume calculation and now requires the full flush of dualflush toilets to meet the same maximum flush volume as single-flush toilets. WaterSense-labeled tanktype toilets of all types must still meet performance requirements, including a waste extraction test.

The Version 2.0 specification for tank-type toilets should take effect on July 1 and is expected to impact approximately 75 percent of existing WaterSense labeled dual-flush toilet models. Single-flush toilets are not impacted by the new specification and do not require retesting. After July 1, the EPA says it plans to designate any dual-flush toilets that do not meet the updated efficiency criteria as delisted. However, delisted models should remain on the WaterSense Product Search Tool until Jan. 1, 2026, to allow time for previously manufactured products to be sold. EPA licensed certifying bodies plan to work with manufacturers to retest toilets and certify new models that meet the updated specification.

FAUCETS GET MORE EFFICIENT

In December 2024, the EPA released draft revisions to its WaterSense specification for private lavatory faucets and faucet accessories to reflect changes in the marketplace for these products. EPA says the primary goal of the proposed Version 2.0 of the specification is to ensure the WaterSense label continues to represent the most efficient models by reducing the maximum flow rate from 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) to 1.2 gpm when tested at a flowing pressure of 60 psi. Canada and multiple states such as California, New York, Oregon, and Washington have adopted efficiency standards requiring private lavatory faucets to flow at a rate no higher than 1.2 gpm. The marketplace has responded accordingly — according to the EPA, nearly two-thirds of WaterSense-labeled models already operate at 1.2 gpm or less.

The EPA also says it plans to retain its minimum flow rate criteria that require lavatory faucets to maintain a minimum flow rate of 0.8 gpm at 20 psi, the lowest water pressure acceptable under U.S. model plumbing codes. This minimum flow rate is sufficient to perform common tasks for which private lavatory faucets are used, such as face washing and shaving. Reducing faucet flow rates as low as the 0.5 gpm level required by plumbing codes for public lavatory faucets could have unintended consequences within residential settings related to hot water delivery, wastewater flow, or pathogen growth.

The EPA says it considered expanding the scope of its lavatory faucets specification to include other faucet types, namely kitchen faucets. As with private lavatory faucets, numerous states and Canada have adopted efficiency standards requiring kitchen faucets to flow at rates below the current U.S. federal maximum flow rate of 2.2 gpm, and manufacturers now offer more efficient kitchen faucet models. While WaterSense is interested in developing criteria to further encourage the market transformation for water-efficient kitchen faucets, they decided a separate WaterSense specification focused on kitchen faucets would be better suited.

WATERSENSE COVERS MORE THAN PRODUCTS

While WaterSense-labeled products are the most visible part of the program for plumbing professionals, WaterSense also advances water efficiency in the built environment through other aspects of its program. For example, the EPA offers the WaterSense label to new and renovated homes that are at least 30 percent more water-efficient than a typical new construction home. Builders can certify their homes to meet this criterion by installing WaterSense-labeled products and ENERGY STAR-certified appliances, as well as incorporating efficient hot water delivery systems and landscape and irrigation system designs that reduce the amount of water used outdoors. (Learn more about WaterSense labeled homes at www.epa.gov/watersense/homes.)

Water management and efficiency in commercial and institutional facilities are also promoted via a series of WaterSense at Work best management practices, a comprehensive resource that helps facility owners and managers improve water management. The series covers water use monitoring; sanitary fixtures and equipment; commercial kitchen equipment; outdoor water use; mechanical systems; laboratory and medical equipment; and alternative water sources. The best management practices and other tools and resources for commercial and institutional facility managers can be found at www.epa.gov/watersense/commercial-buildings.

WHAT’S NEXT?

As many of us have heard in the mainstream news, there has been some discussion about the potential of rolling back certain government efficiency programs. On February 14, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced there may be changes to energy efficiency rules. Currently, there is no additional information to report on the status of the WaterSense program, but it’s worth noting that this program has been successful and generally supported by the industry at large. For a summary of the latest WaterSense plumbing product updates and more information about other types of products and program efforts, direct your web browser to www.epa.gov/watersense.

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Onsite alternate water treatment systems have been a growing national interest since the National Blue Ribbon Commission (NBRC) launched a series of publications in 2017. During the 2019 Water Reuse Summit in San Francisco, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the development of a Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) that would collaborate with partners across the water sector.

Prior to this, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) convened a meeting in 2014 to discuss onsite water systems that involved participants across the country representing local and federal agencies. A 10-step program was developed and published for local governments to manage onsite water systems (Blueprint, 2014).

This created a paradigm shift in the USA for new water management strategies that integrate smaller decentralized onsite water systems to reuse and diversify water supply by using alternate water sources. In 2016, SFPUC, the US Water Alliance, and the Water Research Foundation (WRF) jointly accelerated onsite water reuse projects by launching the NBRC for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems (ONWS).

The NBRC collaborated with the US Water Alliance, the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WE&RF), and WRF and published five reports in 2017. Four of the five reports are guidance manuals to establish a consistent local, state, and national approach for regulation and management of ONWS. All of the guidance manuals replicate the water quality requirements based on a fifth report, Risk-Based Framework for the Development of Public Health Guidance for Decentralized Non-Potable Water Systems (Sharvelle et al., 2017).

The risk-based framework report established a scale-appropriate water quality criteria and monitoring for decentralized non-potable water systems (DNWS). DNWS collect, treat, and reuse water from alternate water sources: blackwater, graywater, rainwater, and stormwater. The water quality criteria are pathogen targets applicable to the type of alternate water needing treatment.

The treatment of pathogens is performance-based log₁₀ reduction targets (LRTs) necessary to reduce the risk of infections associated with exposure to alternative ONWS source waters down to a threshold of one in 10,000 (10-4) infections/person/year. The LRTs were developed for three target pathogens: virus, protozoa, and bacteria. The recommended reduction targets were produced in tables for each type of alternate water. The design of DNWS would need to achieve the LRTs listed in these tables.

In 2018, IAPMO initiated a task group to incorporate and codify the Risk-Based Framework into the American National Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard (WE•Stand) by including the LRT recommendations for onsite blackwater and stormwater treatment in the 2020 WE•Stand, and for onsite graywater treatment in the 2023 WE•Stand.

Although this is the only American National Standard that has codified the risk-based framework for ONWS, the U.S. regulatory landscape for onsite alternate water treatment methods is not uniform or standardized. Twelve states in the USA have onsite non-potable water reuse regulations or guidelines (Onsite Water Reuse Summit, 2024; Health Riskbased Benchmarks, 2023). California is proposing updated LRTs for treatment trains by the end of 2024 that are stricter than the NBRC (CA State Water Resources Control Board, 2024).

The EPA continues research in reevaluating and comparing different sets of risk-based LRTs based on different benchmarks (Schoen et al., 2017; Pecson et al., 2022; Schoen et al., 2023). The benchmark of quantitative microbial risk analysis (QMRA), which is a probability of annual infections per person per year, is being compared with the benchmark of disability adjusted life year (DALY). This measure of the health burden of a disease accounts for the severity and duration of illness (Schoen et al., 2023). An EPA LRT harmonization paper is forthcoming.

TREATMENT TRAIN REQUIREMENTS TO ACHIEVE LRTS

The treatment train describes the performance of multibarrier processes to target and remove enteric viruses (norovirus), parasitic protozoa (cryptosporidium), enteric bacteria (campylobacter), particulates, and organics from alternate water sources used in DNWS. Typically, one technology is not able to remove the wide diversity of contaminants. Pathogens and other contaminants can be reduced by natural and biological processes, filtration processes, and disinfection processes.

Common treatment processes include microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), membrane biological reactor (MBR), ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection, ozone disinfection, and chlorination (A Guidebook, 2017).

The required LRT benchmarks for nonpotable reuse in the following Tables 1, 2, and 3 were derived using QMRA expressed as LRTs to reduce the risk of infections down to an annual probability of infection threshold of one in 10,000 (10-4) infections/person/year. To meet the LRTs for the range of alternate water sources and end uses, treatment processes are designed in series to create an effective treatment train.

To assess the suitability of the treatment processes to meet the LRTs for target pathogen groups, expected performance values (called log reduction values, LRVs) can be assigned to each barrier treatment (Sharvelle et al., 2017). The LRVs are established by the removal efficiency of the pathogen demonstrated during challenge testing (EPA, 2005).

The risk-based framework report provides five tables of observed values (or credits) for pathogen reduction for various treatment processes. The regulatory authority will determine what data are permissible for use in assigning LRV credits.

BLACKWATER TREATMENT TRAIN

Blackwater is wastewater containing bodily or other biological wastes originating from toilets, kitchen sink and dishwasher waste. Figure 1 shows an example of a multiple barrier treatment train for blackwater consisting of a MBR, UV disinfection, and chlorination. Evaluating the treatment train in Figure 1, LRVs are assigned for each process step seen in the black oval under each treatment barrier. The black oval shows the LRVs in the following order for virus/protozoa/bacteria.

The LRVs are summed up for each pathogen group to determine if they meet the required LRTs. The summed total in Table 1 for each pathogen group shows that this treatment train has achieved the LRT benchmarks for both indoor and outdoor reuse.

GRAYWATER TREATMENT TRAIN

Graywater is wastewater that has not come into contact with toilet or kitchen waste. It includes wastewater from bathtubs, showers, lavatories, clothes washers and laundry sinks. Figure 2 shows an example of a multiple barrier treatment train for graywater treatment consisting of MBR and UV disinfection for non-potable indoor reuse. Evaluating the treatment train in Figure 2, LRVs are assigned for each process step seen in the black oval under each treatment barrier.

The LRVs are summed up for each pathogen group to determine if they meet the required LRTs. The summed total in Table 1 for each pathogen group shows that this treatment train has achieved the LRT benchmarks for both indoor and outdoor reuse.

STORMWATER TREATMENT TRAIN

Stormwater is precipitation from rain or snowmelt events that has contacted a surface at grade, below grade, or above-ground impervious surfaces (e.g., streets, parking lots, and rooftops). Figure 3 shows an example of a multiple barrier treatment train for stormwater treatment consisting of micro filtration and UV disinfection for non-potable outdoor reuse.

Evaluating the treatment train in Figure 3, LRVs are assigned only for UV disinfection. Microfiltration does not treat the pathogen targets. The total LRVs for the UV disinfection in Table 3 for each pathogen group show that this treatment train has achieved the LRT benchmarks for both indoor and outdoor reuse.

EFFLUENT WATER QUALITY

The effluent water quality parameters in Table 4 were recommended by the Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) and are applicable for plumbing product performance to ensure that products function as intended by the manufacturer. The effluent water quality parameters are not intended to serve as guidance for public health and safety and are not intended for plumbing products that are used for bathing, cooking, drinking, or hygiene purposes (e.g., faucets, showerheads, personal hygiene devices, and bidets).

The effluent water quality parameters are intended to protect the product parts in water closets and urinals (rubber flappers, seals, ballcocks, flushometer valve) to maintain proper function.

MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

IAPMO IGC 324 in Table 5 — now the American National Standard for Alternate Water Source Systems for Multi-Family, Residential, and Commercial Use (IAPMO/ANSI Z1324, 2022) — is required for validation procedures for black water, graywater and stormwater treatment systems in WE•Stand. The monitoring parameters are based on the risk level whether the reuse water is outdoors (risk category 1) or indoors (risk category 2).

They are monitored by sensors placed on the effluent of the system and connected to a smart controller, which activates an alarm when the parameters in Table 5 are outside the specifications and shut the system down when the alarm is not acknowledged after a period of eight hours has lapsed. Continuous monitoring is recommended to ensure that the treatment processes are continuously meeting their performance goals.

ONWS treatment trains are emerging technologies in the United State without standardization. The risk-based framework to determine LRTs is guiding current state regulations for treatment methodologies. However, there is no regulatory consensus in the USA for LRVs and LRTs to evaluate the treatment trains.

WE•Stand and IAPMO/ANSI Z1324-2022 are consenus American National Standards that incorporate LRTs and can be adopted by state regulators for performance requirements for ONWS. The EPA is attempting to harmonize the benchmarks for LRTs that may further help toward industry consensus and standardization.

U.S. treatment trains are used for treating blackwater, graywater, rainwater, and stormwater for nonpotable water reuse. LRVs are used to evaluate the performance of multi-barrier processes to target and remove pathogens, particulates, and organics from alternate water sources. The multi-barrier processes may be combined variously using microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), membrane biological reactor (MBR), ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection, ozone disinfection, or chlorination to meet the LRTs.

Additional treatment parameters are needed to protect product components in water closets and urinals subject to treated water reuse. Continuous monitoring using sensor validation is recommended to ensure the treatment processes are continuously meeting performance goals.

Article originally appeared in the October 2024 issue of Plumbing Engineer magazine, which is published by PHCPPros. For more information visit www.phcppros.com.

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QUESTION:
I have an Ames 4” model 3000SS that I am trying to repair. I was told that the check valves are threaded into the body of the device and unscrew counterclockwise. I can’t seem to get them to even budge. I’m afraid that if I apply much more pressure, I’m going to break something. Could the checks be cross threaded?

MARK:
The cam checks for this model normally should not be that difficult to remove. The thread pattern for each cam check is very large, so it is nearly impossible to cross thread into the body. First, let’s take a quick look at how the manufacturer instructs us to properly remove the checks. The first check needs to be removed before the second check. If you’re unable to remove the first check by hand, Ames recommends using a long screwdriver on the seat portion of the check either at the cam arm hinge point or the clapper hinge point and applying pressure against the valve body for leverage. (It is important to remember that if you plan on using the first check valve again, do not use the cam arm as a handle.) The second check, which has four protruding lugs or studs in the seat, is easier to remove by placing a screwdriver between two of these studs and applying pressure counterclockwise.

DOUG:
In some cases, the checks can be so difficult to remove that the screwdriver method that Ames recommends may not work at all. There are after-market tools that are manufactured to help remove these particular check valves. There are a few different removal tools available and most work very well. If you work on this model assembly often, we suggest investing in a check removal tool because it can make the job so much easier.

MARK:
Be aware that there are certain situations when even the best-made tool will not budge the cam checks. The body of the Ames Silver Bullet series is made of stainless steel, which can flex or twist if torque is applied at the flange ends. This kind of stress can “egg shape” the stainless body. Even the slightest twist of the body will bind the threads of the cam checks and makes removing them virtually impossible. So what causes the body to flex? Many times this problem will arise if the piping is not aligned correctly during the initial installation of the assembly. It also happens if the underground piping settles or moves for any reason. This causes a great deal of stress on the piping, fittings, and any fixture in the system — especially the stainless steel body of the assembly.

DOUG:
We have experienced instances of torque so great that the cam checks would unscrew from the body, but they could not be removed because the top access hole was twisted into an “oblong” shape. Normally if the torque is slight the cam check can unscrew but the replacement will not thread into the body, giving the appearance of a defect with the threads.

When this occurs, the only way to replace the cam checks is to relieve the stress or tension being placed on the assembly. The best remedy that we’ve found is to simply loosen the gate valve flange bolts on both sides of the assembly. Be sure not to take the bolts completely out. The body should return to its original shape and allow you to replace the checks. Once the new checks are in place, then you can tighten up the flange bolts.

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As 2025 begins, state legislative sessions are in full swing, setting the stage for national policy priorities. By the end of January, 44 states will have convened their sessions, maintaining legislative majorities with few changes. Lawmakers across the country introduced 246,405 bills in the 2023-24 legislative sessions, marking an increase from previous years. The IAPMO Group’s Government Relations team is closely monitoring developments and preparing for the year ahead.

On the federal level, IAPMO is engaging with key stakeholders on legislative initiatives aimed at securing funding for leak repairs, incentivizing water-efficient construction, and expanding water filtration access. Additionally, IAPMO is advocating for changes to regulations classifying water treatment technologies as pesticidal devices. In November, IAPMO hosted a reception with the Congressional Global Water Security Caucus, highlighting the importance of water and sanitation. Collaborations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and other agencies have strengthened industry involvement in addressing water contaminants. Looking internationally, IAPMO is coordinating a summit in Korea as part of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, focusing on standardizing plumbing product markets. Further, federal awards from USAID and the Department of Commerce continue to support IAPMO’s testing and certification services in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

In California, IAPMO successfully advocated for ASSE Series 5000 and ASSE product certification inclusion in the draft Cross-Connection Policy Handbook, replacing Title 17. Efforts continue to ensure fair recognition of ASSE as an approved backflow prevention assembly tester certification organization. AB 249, which sought stricter lead standards in school drinking water, was vetoed due to funding concerns. A similar bill, AB 1851, introduced a pilot program for lead testing in schools and was successfully amended to require NSF/ANSI certified water filtration systems, but failed to advance due to budget constraints. Additionally, a letter was sent to the General Services Administration regarding Legionella detected in federal court buildings in San Diego, offering ASSE’s technical support.

In Colorado, legislation was passed to extend the state plumbing board’s functions through 2032 while maintaining ASSE 6020 references for medical gas installations. The law also mandates plumber licensing for backflow prevention device installation, except in stand-alone fire suppression systems. Additionally, efforts are being made to strengthen plumbing code enforcement and ensure compliance with industry standards across various projects in the state.

In Illinois, ASSE engaged with officials regarding Legionella detected at the YWCA Evanston/North Shore, offering resources to mitigate future outbreaks. Mayor Daniel Biss acknowledged ASSE’s outreach with gratitude.

In New Jersey, Sen. Teresa Ruiz’s Legionella bill was signed into law on Sept. 12; however, it does not include ASSE 12000 references. ASSE/IAPMO has submitted a letter urging its inclusion. Ongoing discussions with policymakers aim to incorporate industry-recognized standards in future water safety legislation.

In New Hampshire, regulatory updates to Env-Dw 505 now officially recognize ASSE 5110 certification for backflow prevention device inspectors and testers. The revised regulations took effect on Nov. 23. These updates mark a significant step toward ensuring higher standards in water safety and backflow prevention.

In New Mexico, HB 291 aimed to promote rainwater harvesting systems via tax incentives, with stakeholders advocating for ASSE 21000 inclusion. Due to the state’s short session, the bill failed to progress. Moving forward, advocates are exploring alternative legislative avenues to support sustainable water use practices in the state.

In Pennsylvania, Senate Bill 571 on Legionella mitigation remains stalled in committee. While it includes ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188, it does not reference ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Standard 12080. A letter was sent urging its inclusion. Meanwhile, House Bill 2145 proposes requiring water filtration for Legionella mitigation. ASSE recommended adding specificity to filtration standards, ensuring compliance with NSF P231, NSF/ANSI Standard 244, and NSF/ANSI Standard 55 (Class A). Both bills remain pending. Additional outreach efforts are underway to educate lawmakers on the importance of adopting comprehensive water safety standards.

As the 2025 legislative sessions progress, ASSE and IAPMO remain committed to advocating for water safety, plumbing standards, and industry recognized certifications at both state and federal levels. The organization continues to build relationships with policymakers, industry leaders, and regulatory agencies to drive meaningful progress in water quality, plumbing code adoption, and public health initiatives.

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Until joining IAPMO in 2023, I spent most of my career working for companies that made things ranging from automotive components to consumer goods. Before transitioning to the PVF field relatively early in my career, I also worked for an aerospace company for several years. Never was quality more top of mind as we manufactured parts for commercial aircraft, rockets and even space shuttles.

During that time, I was given the opportunity to attend the Crosby Quality Colleges in Chicago and Winter Park, Florida. The colleges were run by renowned quality expert Philip Crosby, who held prominent quality roles at such major companies as Martin Marietta and the International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation before starting his own consulting firm in 1979. Crosby made the concept of quality, which had been largely taken over and made unbearably complex by statisticians, relatable and understandable for the masses. He gave us the masterfully simple three-word definition of quality: “conformance to requirements.” But his coup de grace was yet another simple idea; that we should strive for “zero defects” because defects are preventable and are everyone’s responsibility. This does not mean a high-quality process might not experience occasional defects, but rather that our goal should be to detect and eliminate them.

I remember Crosby posing these questions: “When a loved one is on a life support machine at a hospital, how many minutes a day do you expect the machine to fail? How often is it acceptable for your paycheck to be shorted? How many times do you draw a glass of water from a potable tap and expect the water to be contaminated?” Okay, you read this far to see how I would segue into water quality, and Crosby’s last question is it. You see, Crosby recognized that there are processes to which we are regularly exposed where zero defects is the counted-on norm. He stated that the United States is the best place on earth to have the expectation that water deemed potable is safe to drink and free from contaminants because when it comes to water quality, we anticipate zero defects. Is that still our expectation?

The Safe Drinking Water Act sets federal standards for drinking water quality, which are enforced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Water quality in the United States varies significantly depending on local environmental conditions. The EPA monitors water quality through various federal, state and local programs.

In a previous column, I reported the EPA’s recently adopted plan to limit PFAS in drinking water via the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for the six PFAS shown in the table below.

EPA PFAS LEVELS FOR DRINKING WATER

Recently, President Trump issued an executive order that paused the EPA rule limiting PFAS discharges in industrial wastewater. Unfortunately, this move has created uncertainty about the future of the PFAS regulation.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

After the EPA’s initial ruling on PFAS, NSF agreed to include the new rules in upcoming revisions of NSF 53, 58 and 61. When and if these NSF standards are published and certification agencies begin mandating dates of compliance, products certified to the 17 ASSE standards that reference one or more of the three NSF standards will also be held to the new EPA guidelines. These products include backflow preventers, push-fit fittings, temperature actuated flow reduction valves, mixing valves, water storage tanks and dispensers, and reverse osmosis and water treatment equipment, among others.

The decision to withdraw EPA’s PFAS rule has sparked concern from water industry leaders and environmental groups. PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and human body, are linked to a multitude of health issues, including cancer, liver damage, reproductive and developmental diseases and immune disorders.

In a Jan. 28 press release, the Center for Environmental Health’s Chief Executive Officer Kizzy Charles-Guzman stated, “PFAS contamination is an urgent public health crisis, and people who live near PFAS manufacturing facilities and other industrial facilities that use and discharge PFAS have lived with the health consequences of this pollution for decades… (the) CEH remains committed to holding government agencies accountable to protect all Americans as we work toward a cleaner, healthier, safer world.”

I recently spoke with friend and Wilmington, North Carolina, Mayor Bill Saffo. He remains concerned about PFAS contamination in the coastal areas of the Cape Fear River, which supplies drinking water to more than one million people. Saffo said that his region of North Carolina has experienced some of the worst PFAS contamination in the country and that he will continue to advocate for strong protections that ensure water quality.

As unintended consequences of the EPA PFAS rollback become further understood, it is hoped that the current administration will reconsider reinstating the rule so that we can continue to expect zero defects when it comes to our water quality.

Cover image: Discarded water bottle floating in stream contaminated with firefighting foam. Image credit: Janashea | iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus

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I can honestly say that I love my job. I think the work I do is important, as it helps to improve people’s lives and protects their health. Since the beginning of this year, I have been working with cross-connection classes in New Jersey, Arizona, South Dakota and Virginia, and shortly will be headed to Nevada. It is interesting to look at the way different jurisdictions deal with backflow prevention and cross-connection control regulations and issues. Even the makeup of our class students will vary in different locations. We have seen a significant increase in the number of individuals from the fire sprinkler industry attending backflow tester and repairer training. A class is normally a mixture of individuals from the plumbing, pipefitting, sprinkler fitting, irrigation and the waste and water industries. We also see individuals from the inspection, engineering, mechanical maintenance, and property maintenance industries. Backflow prevention and cross-connection control are an important part of any construction or maintenance project. Having trained and certified individuals working within all areas of these industries is vital to our mission of protecting our access to clean, safe drinking water.

A backflow tester certification class must train the students in the proper testing procedures for reduced pressure principle assemblies, double check valve assemblies, pressure vacuum breaker assemblies, and spill-resistant vacuum breaker assemblies. It must also train individuals to recognize failures in these assemblies during testing. Some people in our industry think that is most, if not all, of which a tester class should consist. As someone who has been teaching a crossconnection certification class since 1993, I must strongly disagree with that thinking. Being a qualified backflow tester is so much more than learning to memorize test steps. It is more than even possessing both the understanding of and skill to perform the required field test. We must train people to perform not just in the classroom or wet lab, but also in the field. In truth, every time a tester performs a field test on an assembly, they are conducting a mini cross-connection survey. The tester needs to understand what the degree of hazard is related to the cross-connection the assembly is protecting. They need to know what type of backflow is possible at that connection — backpressure, backsiphonage, or both. They need to know the installation requirements of the assembly type they are testing. They need to understand the codes and regulations in the areas in which they are working. This list is just the tip of the iceberg.

A certified tester must have the knowledge and skill to understand hydraulics, backflow prevention methods like airgaps and barometric loops. An understanding of the proper selection and installation of non-testable backflow prevention devices including hose bibb vacuum breakers, hose bibb backflow preventers, atmospheric vacuum breakers, dual checks, and many other specific use backflow devices is critical. Record keeping and safety are also important as is a complete understanding of the testing equipment we use while conducting evaluations of testable assemblies.

In many of the classes I teach, students say it is too intense and suggest that the class length be extended. The training classes in our industry range anywhere from 16 to 40 hours. A 40-hour class takes a technician out of the field for an entire week. Add the cost of a certification class, which may range from $1,000 to $1,500 per person, and you can see that the student, or in most cases the employer, is already making a signification investment. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to extend the class time past a one-week commitment. The ASSE Series 5000, Cross-Connection Professional Qualification Standard, requires a minimum of a 40-hour class. The classes I teach are scheduled for 40 hours, but in many cases, we include additional hours in the wet lab to allow students more time for the hands-on portion of the training. ASSE also requires that students have a minimum of five years’ industry experience in plumbing or a related field, or be a fourth or fifth-year apprentice in a recognized apprenticeship program. This prerequisite means that students will, at a minimum, have a basic knowledge of mechanical systems and hydraulics prior to attending. To be a quality tester, you need to develop a significant range of knowledge so that you understand not just how to test a backflow preventer but also understand how it works and how it affects the hydraulics of the systems on which they are installed.

In speaking with a contractor last week about what a backflow tester class included, he seemed surprised and upset that the 40-hour class didn’t include a repairer and a surveyor/specialist certification in that single training class. He was also upset that the training was not available as an online class so his employees could attend the training in the evening on their own time. He did not understand the need for recertification on a three year cycle. I would like to say that I was able to convince him that multiple classes were necessary, and recreation was a vital part of ensuring only qualified testers were testing assemblies, but I was not. Most companies understand the importance of quality training, licensing, and certification. The fact that most do is one of the main reasons I enjoy what I do. With that being said, it is at times frustrating and thankless work with unnecessary roadblocks put in the way of progress. When I see the lightbulb go on in a student’s mind and see the satisfaction they have when successfully completing the testing and becoming a certified tester for the first time, it makes the work we do worthwhile.

As Confucius said, “Chose a job you love, and you will never need to work a day in your life.” It is also important that those of us who have spent many years in the industry pass on the knowledge and experience we possess to the next generation who will take our place protecting and preserving drinking water. To end this column with a second quote, let us hear from the Dalai Lama, who said, “Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.”

The post I Love My Job appeared first on Working Pressure Magazine.

The Professional Qualifications department is preparing for the upcoming Mid-Year Meeting, April 15-16 at the Tributary Hub (hosted by Local 75) in Madison, Wisconsin. We are going to try a different format for the meeting this year. Full committee meetings will still be conducted, however, closed sessions will also take place. Members of subcommittees will participate in the closed sessions. See the draft schedule posted at asse-plumbing.org/midyear.

The department has two new staff members. Karen Kadubek joined the department last year and will be a liaison between ASSE and schools. She will also oversee the site visit process and audit process for schools. If you have not had a chance to meet Karen, please take a moment to introduce yourself during the Mid-Year meeting. The other new staff member is Allison Drechny, who joined the team late last year and will oversee IAPMO and ASSE exams. Allison is learning more about the various committees the PQ department manages and will be the liaison for a couple of committees in the future.

Tracy Schuster is the third person in the PQ department. For more than four years, she has been an enormous asset to the department by providing support and training to the other team members. A big shoutout to Tracy for being such a fantastic team player during a transitional time for the department.

We also recently conducted a job task analysis for the ASSE backflow tester certification. The PQ team, along with 15 subject matter experts, took part in this process. The subject-matter experts met last year at ASSE Headquarters in Mokena, Illinois, to develop a pilot survey that was sent out to all currently certified backflow testers. The responses to the study were beyond our expectations; if you took the survey, thank you for being part of this critical process. A report of the findings will be finalized in March. I always say that volunteers are the backbone of an organization, and this is a perfect example of people coming together for a common cause to ensure that our program is the best in the industry.

We will still be conducting webinars to update you on discussion topics at meetings and any other issues relevant to schools. The one item that stood out to me during discussions at last October’s annual meeting was the need for new program directors to be trained on ASSE processes. If you have a new program director who needs some guidance or questions, please direct them to us, and we can schedule a meeting to answer their questions one-on-one. Another initiative that is taking place internally is reviewing documents and updating them to reflect current policies and procedures. We will send the documents to the corresponding schools for review as they are revised and finalized.

As standards are updated or new standards are developed, the PQ department works with subject matter experts to determine whether or not a certification exam should be developed for that specific standard. The intent of developing a certification exam is to ensure that the exam aligns with our mission, which is to protect the public. ASSE stands by those values and works to abide by them. If there is a topic or trend that you are seeing in the industry, please let us know and an assessment can be made as to whether a new standard should be developed.

The PQ department looks forward to a prosperous and productive year for everyone. If we can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. I look forward to seeing everyone at our Mid-Year Meeting.

Cover image: Tracy Schuster (left), Douglas Marian (middle), and Joseph Fernandez jr. (right) at an ASSE professional qualifications technical committee meeting.

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Being the dead of winter in the upper Midwest, there is fun to be had outdoors — cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and downhill skiing, to name a few. When the thaw comes, so will the ASSE Mid-Year Meeting. Please plan on attending this year’s event, April 15-16, at The Tributary Hub, hosted by UA Plumbers Local 75. The original dates were changed due to an exciting new project being built at the Tributary — a day care center — and I appreciate your patience and understanding in moving the meeting one week later. This year’s Mid-Year Meeting promises to be an informative collaboration of professional ideas that the best minds in the plumbing and piping industry have to offer. I hope to see you all there.

The future of our association depends on new members and the continued involvement of current members. Each of you has a professional passion to participate in the organization. This passion, I’m sure, you can find in others as well. Let them know about ASSE and what we do in the industry, and bring them along. Our committees, working groups, and organization need their input. When hosting professional qualification classes at our training centers, mention the benefits of membership and how students can become part of the group.

Water conservation is essential to maintaining life and health. We only have so much fresh water to sustain life, and it is our responsibility to be custodians of this precious resource. New technologies are being developed to clean and filter water that may be unsafe and make it safe for human use. ASSE standards and certifications help ensure that our communities remain safe and prosperous.

The post When the Thaw Comes appeared first on Working Pressure Magazine.

In one of Australia’s most remote landscapes, a collaboration between international and local organizations has brought a life-changing improvement to the Mimal Ranger Base in Arnhem Land: clean, reliable water. For the first time, the Indigenous rangers who protect and manage 20,000 square kilometers of diverse ecosystems have access to treated water, thanks to a project partnership between Mimal Land Management, Reece Foundation, and the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (IWSH) Foundation, IAPMO’s public charity.

During the two-week Community Plumbing Challenge (CPC) in August 2024, plumbing volunteers installed a ring main around the property, located in the remote Northern Territory, to supply treated water to all existing and future on-site dwellings; installed four 27,000-liter rainwater tanks to the side of the workshop, along with a header tank for rainwater above the weed-spraying area; and linked a new borewell to a buffer tank via a water treatment system equipped with a pressure pump. They also conducted educational activities with local schoolchildren and offered hands-on training for staff at the base to ensure the community could sustain and build upon these improvements.

Operated by the Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation, the base serves as a central hub for land management and support services across Central Arnhem Land, spanning thousands of kilometers of diverse landscapes, including rock country, woodlands, and freshwater ecosystems. The base also provides a women’s ranger program, land management education for young people, ceremonial and language programs, and a health clinic, among other services.

The Reece Foundation is an Australian nonprofit organization that works with volunteer tradespeople and partners to fund and initiate projects that provide clean water and sanitation to communities at home and abroad. In addition to securing materials for the project, the Reece Foundation sponsored 13 volunteer trades workers from across Australia to use their skills for the CPC.

Grant Stewart, IWSH international program director, said before the CPC the ranger station used untreated bore water, which has natural minerals and high salt content that calcify plumbing fixtures, washing machines, and the kettles and urns they used to boil water for tea.

“The maintenance for plumbing is just over the top because of that,” Stewart said. “And being remote, it’s hard to maintain things on a regular basis because the focus isn’t on plumbing; it’s on the rangers doing their work.

He added that since the bore water doesn’t taste very good, people typically rely on bottled water, which must be transported to the site and results in plastic waste.

Stewart explained that as the ranger base has taken shape over the past decade, buildings that were initially seen as temporary have become permanent and there was not always a reliable water source. A bore had been installed but not connected to the water source, so volunteers hooked it up to a roughly kilometerlong water main around the site and through a BWT water filtration system that Reece Foundation supplied.

Stewart said they worked with BWT’s industry specialists to come up with a solution that was the best fit for the location, and the resulting system includes an activated charcoal canister followed by a water softener, filter and ozone sterilization.

They received positive feedback about the softer water almost immediately.

“One of the Mimal team sent me an email that said, ‘I’m so happy because when I come back in from projects out in the bush, I have a shower and don’t feel like I’ve got crocodile skin; my skin’s not dried out,’ he recalled.

Now instead of having to routinely replace plumbing fixtures, urns and washing machines that were constantly being worn out and damaged, the rangers will follow a basic maintenance schedule that includes topping off the salt and backwashing a filter.

A custom quick-fill tank system will allow the rangers to efficiently load their spray tanks during firefighting and weed control operations. Stewart said the harder water also negatively impacted the efficacy of the chemical sprays they used for weed control, requiring more chemical because they did not mix as well.

The team also installed a new pump system with a buffer tank, so that if the bore goes down the rangers have about a day’s worth of water in a tank that can be pumped around the site. There is also a switchover to change back to boil water if needed.

“There are some redundancies built into it all,” Stewart said. “There’s also the way it was built into the ground; if there is an issue with the pipework bursting or being dug up, we can isolate a section and the rest of the site can continue pretty much unhindered.”

Another major project was the installation of four 27,000-liter rainwater tanks, which will be filled during the wet season and used solely for drinking water.

There is a perception among some communities that groundwater is dirty, partly due to past experiences with failing septic systems. Even though modern water treatment ensures its safety, some people still associate groundwater with contamination, making them less willing to drink it.

“It’s perceived as being dirty, so people don’t like groundwater even though they understand that’s how it has to be for the majority of the water,” he said.

The rainwater system has a first flush water diverter that prevents the first runoff of rainwater from entering the tank, so it will be ready to drink when it is captured.

Stewart said the catchment should fill up within the first couple weeks of the wet season and remain full throughout, and there should still be water in the tanks at the end of the dry season.

“Having a good supply of drinking water on site alleviates the need for bottled water to be brought in for cooking and drinking,” he said. “It fills a lot of gaps, and the development of the site will continue; it’s sort of the springboard into building new buildings on site now.”

The base hosts an annual meeting whose attendance can exceed 100 people, as well as visitors from other ranger bases and Aboriginal areas.

“These activities are all helped by the infrastructure that we’ve installed,” Stewart said. “It gives them more of an opportunity to develop further the capacity of the rangers.”

Stewart is optimistic this is just the start of things to come in Australia. He has continued working with Mimal CEO Dominic Nicholls to plan similar upgrades for other remote ranger outstations, some of which are up to 100 miles away from the base. The hope, he said, is to develop more infrastructure so people can stay at the outstations.

Reflecting on the significance of the project, Stewart emphasized the personal and professional fulfillment it brought him. Having spent decades working on water and sanitation initiatives worldwide, he expressed a deep sense of pride in contributing to a project so close to home.

“I’ve done a lot of work over the past 25 years around the world, and being in my backyard, being able to give back to the First Nations people in Australia, is brilliant,” he said.

Visit iwsh.org/iwsh-news/iwsh-releases-2024-year-in-review to download IWSH’s 2024 Year in Review, explore IWSH’s full impact in 2024, and join their mission for change.

The post Clean, Reliable Water Solutions In Northern Territory, Australia appeared first on Working Pressure Magazine.

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems help to eliminate a wide spectrum of harmful contaminates from water. Historically, however, ROs have shown to be one of the least efficient water treatment options. It is not uncommon for an RO device to have a return on water of less than 20%, especially for end users. The reason for this is that in order to function properly, RO systems need a certain amount of “rinse water,” which is typically sent to the drain. This is why ASSE 1086 was developed to aid water conservation efforts by providing manufacturers with an efficiency target for their RO system designs.

Traditional ROs are known to be one of the least efficient treatment products in the market. This is due to the fact that of all of the water that enters into the system only a small percentage is returned to the user as drinkable. In fact, for traditional RO systems, 3 gallons of water go to the drain as waste for every gallon produced as treated water. Being mindful of the need for more sustainable systems, manufacturers of RO systems have been working to improve the efficiencies by reducing the amount of rinse water needed to operate the devices.

As is often the case when making changes to complicated designs, tradeoffs exist that affect other aspects of the design’s performance. As efficiencies in the system improve, there can be a reduction in the life of the membrane. The manipulations made to RO systems that result in increased efficiency can often cause the membrane to foul. Fouled membranes no longer produce significant amounts of purified water. This leads to the membranes needing to be replaced much more frequently. Replacing membranes more often can lead to customer dissatisfaction due to the increased cost of operation.

It became clear that there was a need to have standards and specifications covering water efficiency for residential RO systems that included performance testing to address the membrane life concerns of high-efficiency RO systems. ASSE 1086, Performance Requirements for Reverse Osmosis Water Efficiency – Drinking Water, was developed and focuses on the environmentally friendly aspect of the treatment technology while also ensuring that efficiency is not compromising membrane life.

Additionally, the U.S. EPA WaterSense program developed an efficiency specification, WaterSense Specification for Point of Use Reverse Osmosis Systems, Version 1.0 (published in 2024). The WaterSense specification requires testing to be in accordance with ASSE 1086. The pass/fail criteria within the WaterSense specification is 30% efficiency as opposed to that in previous ASSE 1086-2022, which was 40% efficiency. Since the publication of the WaterSense specification, the ASSE 1086 standard has been revised to match the WaterSense requirements.

There are other standards that are also relevant to the performance of reverse osmosis treatment devices. Most notable is — NSF/ANSI 58, Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Treatment Systems. Note that compliance with NSF 58 is a requirement of ASSE 1086-2025 and the EPA WaterSense specification.

The ASSE 1086 standard includes test requirements for complete systems or components, including system manifolds, RO membranes, pre- and post-filtration assemblies, supply and drain connections. It focuses on three main requirements:

1. As mentioned before, the system must be compliant with NSF 58.
2. The product must meet a minimum efficiency rating when tested in accordance with the NSF/ANSI Standard 58. Note, the NSF 58 standard is not an efficiency standard. While the testing protocol is present, there are no minimum requirements to meet with respect to efficiency. This is where ASSE 1086 comes in, requiring the RO device to be at least 30% efficient.
3. To ensure membranes continue to function for long periods of time, a membrane life test was developed. It is an accelerated 20-day test that simulates one year use of an RO membrane.

Other performance aspects evaluated by ASSE 1086 include the verification of the reliability of the system’s automatic shut-off valve and a flow restrictor tolerance test. These two attributes were included because they can also have an effect on efficiency.

ASSE 1086 certification, along with the EPA WaterSense mark, is a valuable tool for helping consumers make informed decisions about purchasing a reverse osmosis treatment system. It provides the peace of mind knowing that the published efficiency has been verified and the product has been evaluated to rigorous performance requirements.

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