The newly named Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition, formed recently through a Memorandum of Understanding, has identified Drainline Transport as its first research project. 
   The coalition is comprised of five industry organizations seeking to conduct research in a number of areas. Members include the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials, the International Code Council, the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association—National Association, and the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute. 
   IAPMO’s Pete DeMarco will serve as project coordinator for the inaugural research study and will also chair the Technical Committee assigned to the project. Each of the PERC member associations has named a representative to this committee. 
   Recently, the need to find additional efficiencies on water consuming plumbing fixtures has resulted in the creation of voluntary specifications that eliminate another 20 percent from the flush discharge volume of water closets, bringing consumption down to a maximum average of 1.28 GPF. These toilets are known as High Efficiency Toilets. 
   Some water closet manufacturers are now voluntarily offering models that flush at 1.0 GPF. Many plumbing experts are concerned that the industry is at, or approaching, a “tipping point” where a significant number of sanitary waste systems will be affected by drainline transport problems, especially in larger commercial systems that have long horizontal runs to the sewer. Recently, drainline transport problems in Europe and Australia have been reported, further raising concerns.