“New developments and improvements in water efficiency technology depend on credible research results,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “Today’s ground-breaking agreement helps ensure that plumbing stakeholders join forces to analyze important water efficiency issues.”
“By joining forces, the organizations can better use their resources to advance water efficiency research in areas where there is a common interest and need,” said Mary Ann Dickinson, executive director of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the organization leading the partnership. “Initial projects being considered for research are high efficiency toilet drainage, water reuse systems, non-water consuming urinals, and sizing of water-efficient plumbing systems. We want to make sure that as we move forward with changes in water efficiency requirements, those changes are based on solid research in the field.”
The agreement, which the EPA says took more than a year to negotiate, was formalized today when all parties signed the Memorandum of Understanding. The five groups in the partnership are:
- Alliance for Water Efficiency
- International Code Council
- International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
- Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors Association
- Plumbing Manufacturers Institute
