PMI Launches New Rethink Water Chapter on Plumbing Systems

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) has introduced a new chapter in its Rethink Water initiative, focusing on the responsible management of building plumbing systems. The updated content, including a video, explains how various components such as pipes, valves, water heaters, fixtures, pumps, and drains must work together to ensure safe and efficient water flow within well-engineered plumbing systems.

PMI CEO and Executive Director Kerry Stackpole emphasized that the content aims to help policymakers understand how changes to one part of a plumbing system can affect the entire system. For example, while efforts to reduce flow and flush rates below EPA’s WaterSense specifications may be well-intentioned for water conservation, these reductions can have unintended negative consequences. Stackpole noted that such changes could lead to issues like double flushing, sewer blockages, and increased water pathogen growth due to slower water flow through pipes. Additionally, customers may resist purchasing lower-flow fixtures, leaving them unsold on store shelves.

Stackpole highlighted that replacing legacy products—older, less-efficient plumbing fixtures—could save water more quickly than simply lowering flow rates for new fixtures. He pointed to San Antonio Water System as a model for successfully replacing inefficient toilets. PMI estimates that a similar initiative in California could save up to 65.3 billion gallons of water over the next five years.

PMI is committed to working with policymakers to create incentives for replacing outdated products and promoting the adoption of certified WaterSense fixtures, which are 20% more water-efficient than standard products and have saved Americans 8.7 trillion gallons of water and $207 billion in water and energy costs since 2006, according to the EPA.

About Plumbing Manufacturers International

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) is the trade association of plumbing product manufacturers that produce more than 90% of the United States’ plumbing products, represent more than 150 iconic brands, and develop safe, reliable and innovative water-efficient plumbing technologies. PMI members contribute 517,696 jobs and $116.7 billion in economic impact to America’s economy, according to the Plumbing Manufacturing Industry Economic Impact Study.

With a vision of safe, responsible plumbing – always, PMI advocates for plumbing product performance contributing to water efficiency and savings, sustainability, public health and safety, and consumer satisfaction through its Rethink Water initiative and other programs. PMI members manufacture water-efficient toilets, urinals, faucets, showerheads and other products at more than 70 locations across the country and market them online and in more than 24,000 home improvement stores, hardware stores and showrooms in all 50 states.

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