National Energy Bill Mandates Greater Water Efficiency

The 1992 Energy Policy Act, signed into law in October, sets maximum water use standards for most plumbing products manufactured after January 1, 1994. Most toilets will be limited to 1.6 gallons per flush (a higher limit of 3.5 gpf will apply to most commercial toilets). Kitchen and lavatory faucets and showerheads will be limited to a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute. Fixtures must have performance labels indicating water-use rates, similar to the “EnergyGuide” labels required for electrical appliances.

Sixteen states have already adopted low-flow standards for plumbing fixtures. The new Energy Bill provides a uniform standard for the country and supersedes those state regulations. However, more stringent state regulations may be allowed to stand if ASME/ANSI standards, upon which the new provisions are based, do not keep up with the technology.