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Plumbing News
Rebates for Water-Efficient
Plumbing Will Save Significant Water in California, PMI Says.
Plumbing Manufacturers International estimates up to 360 million gallons a day
can be saved through Governor Brown’s call for a statewide rebate program.
Rolling Meadows, Ill. – Recognizing the severity of the California drought and
the call to action it demands,
Plumbing Manufacturers
International (PMI) announced today its support of Governor Jerry Brown’s
call for a statewide rebate program encouraging the purchase of water-efficient
plumbing products, such as toilets, showerheads and faucets, to replace older
ones.
“In California, the future is now – a time when steps to sustain an
ever-precious resource must be taken,” said PMI Executive Director and CEO
Barbara C. Higgens, who will be a part of a panel presentation on “The Future of
Water” at an April 13 Water
Week event in Washington, D.C. “As good stewards of the environment, PMI
wants the public to know that using water-efficient plumbing products is an
immediate action that can be taken to save water. There have been tremendous
advancements in the technology and efficacy of plumbing products. Just as you
wouldn’t use a 25-year-old cell phone, it doesn’t make sense to use 25-year-old
plumbing technology.”
PMI has long encouraged the replacement, or retrofitting, of older fixtures with
WaterSense toilets, showerheads and faucets meeting Environmental Protection
Agency criteria. Widely available in stores throughout California and the
nation, WaterSense products can save up to 360 million gallons of water per day
in California alone, according to a PMI estimate. PMI and its member companies –
which produce most of the plumbing products in the United States – participate
as partners in the WaterSense program. “Using WaterSense products is common
sense,” Higgens said. Story continues below
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WaterSense products use
20 percent less water than federal requirements
To earn the WaterSense label, plumbing products are
independently tested and certified as using at least 20
percent less water than federal requirements while meeting
performance standards. Available at a wide variety of price
points and in a broad range of styles, these water-efficient
products are now required by the California Building Code in
new construction and renovations. “A statewide rebate
program will further water savings by encouraging
comprehensive and timely retrofitting of older products in
existing buildings,” Higgens said.
She said her organization looks forward to working with the
Governor’s Office, the California Energy Commission and
elected and regulatory officials to accomplish further water
conservation while assuring public health and safety,
product performance and consumer satisfaction.
PMI has a history of active engagement and support for
California legislative and regulatory efforts to accomplish
increased water efficiencies:
•PMI was instrumental in the
creation and promulgation of the provisions within AB 715 (Laird,
Chapter 499, Statutes of 2007) to reduce water consumption of
high-efficiency toilets (HET) to 1.28 gallon per flush (gpf) and
high efficiency urinals (HEU) to 0.5 gpf. This law set levels of
sales for high-efficiency water closets and urinals starting in 2010
and went into full effect for all sales of these products on January
1, 2014. All HETs and HEUs sold in California are required to meet
these levels.
•PMI also supported the
promulgation of SB 407 (Padilla, Chapter 587, Statutes of 2009),
which will require the replacement of plumbing fixtures installed
prior to 1994 when new fixtures are installed during new
construction or remodeling projects. The older fixtures must be
replaced with water-conserving fixtures in single family residences
by 2017 and in commercial and multi-family properties by 2019.
•PMI also worked closely with the
California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and
the Building Standards Commission (BSC) to establish water
efficiency levels for the 2013 CALGreen section of the California
Building Code, which went into effect on January 1, 2014.
About PMI
Plumbing Manufacturers International is the voluntary,
not-for-profit international industry association of manufacturers
of plumbing products, serving as the Voice of the Plumbing Industry.
Member companies produce about 90 percent of the nation’s plumbing
products. As part of its mission, PMI advocates for plumbing product
performance and innovation contributing to water savings,
sustainability, public health and safety, and consumer satisfaction.
For more information on PMI or its conferences, contact the
organization at 1921 Rohlwing Road, Unit G, Rolling Meadows, IL,
60008; tel.: 847-481-5500; fax: 847-481-5501. Visit our website at
www.safeplumbing.org.
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