On April 7, the Board of Water and Power Commissioners—Department of Water and Power, City of Los Angeles, unanimously approved a resolution recommending the L.A. City Council’s approval of an ordinance amending the L.A. Municipal Code. The proposed amendment is the addition of Article V, High Efficiency Fixtures for New Construction to Chapter XII of the Water Conservation Plan of the City of Los Angeles.
   Article V highlights Los Angeles’ efforts to achieve significant water savings by requiring the installation of high efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances (clothes washers, dishwashers etc) which are even more efficient than what is currently required by codes and standards. The goal is that the proposed ordinance will ensure a reduced burden on the potable water supply in all new construction—from day 1 of occupancy.
   This resolution is a perfect example of what cities all across the country will be doing as water supplies become ever more constricted. In the City of L.A., more than 620 million gallons of water are used daily. By reaching the new construction market with an expanded set of conservation policies the water consumption of new building will be reduced by 20 percent with an estimated limit of 0.4 percent on the proposed increase in annual water demand. The resolution is strongly supported by plumbers & associations (P.I.P.E., CPMCA, and PHCC), manufacturers & associations (PMI), engineers and associations (ASPE), contractors, architects, Department of Building and Safety, Department of Public Works and the Bureau of Sanitation.
   While there is a general support of the implementation of the ordinance, it should be noted that industry and public comment show concerns with the timeline for enforcing the ordinance requirements. There is debate on the actual date for the ordinance to be put into effect: some support L.A.’s early implementation of Dec.1, 2009, while others believe the ordinance should follow AB 715 with a mandated implementation date of Jan. 1, 2014. 
   The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute supports implementation commensurate with AB 715. Quoting from its letter of public comment and support to the Board of Commissioners, PMI said: “While PMI supports the intent of this ordinance in principle, it urges various specification changes to bring it in line with national standards of the U.S. EPA WaterSense program.” Further, PMI requests a “reasonable implementation timeline to allow existing product to be purged and new products be positioned.” Some of the specification changes suggested include very particular language to include and allow for approval of more than one type of High Efficiency Toilet (dual-flush, single flush gravity HET, and pressure assisted). The original draft called out for ONLY the dual-flush toilet while there are several very effective models with flushing technology that, although different from dual-flush, are equally effective in removing waste with 1.28 gallons per flush. LADWP has accounted for all of the supporters’ requests and amended the language of the resolution to account for concerns.
   LADWP is forward thinking in its action toward conservation measures as illustrated by this proposed ordinance. This proposal joins many currently being considered by LAWDP including graywater systems, sub-metering on multi-family units and ordinances for landscape efficiency, hillside and stream protection, cooling tower efficiency and low impact development. 
   All of these ideas and technologies are addressed and explored in the GreenPlumbers USA’s curriculum for plumbers and professionals, such as engineers and architects. GreenPlumbers makes a concerted effort to stay abreast of the latest amendments and additions to local municipal codes all over the country and report findings to workshop students.
   GreenPlumbers and our licensees remain active in several associations and pride themselves on our reliable network of associates and resources.
   GreenPlumbers is working to identify the agencies and municipalities that are applying for stimulus dollars, such as LADWP. Currently, LADWP is working on applications for water quality (Clean Water); water recycling, storm water retention and water conservation. The actual dollar amount that ended up in the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) pertaining to water is: $20 billion for water—focusing on wastewater management, infrastructure, recycling and conservation measures.
   It is important, moving forward, that we take the time to research the grant applications for such funding to enhance our local communities. The participation of GreenPlumbers and our licensees is integral to making the stimulus funding for water and energy conservation projects successful in Los Angeles, the state of California, the Western Region and all cities and states around the country. As more states and cities make decisions around the available funds for conservation projects, GreenPlumbers will report proposals and awards to local licensees to incite their bids and participation.
   Not only is the economy ignited, but our water and energy resources are respected and conserved. Furthermore, the plumbing industry can reap the financial and philosophical benefits of providing services that seek to protect the health and safety of the nation and the plumber will remain the foremost Champion of Conservation.
   More information about the adoption of the LAWDP resolution and other programs/rebates may be found right here.