PMI-Supported WaterSense Authorization Included in Bipartisan Comprehensive Water Infrastructure Package

Washington, D.C. – Sept. 12, 2018 – Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) applauds the Senate and House committee leadership on the bipartisan, bicameral agreement on comprehensive water infrastructure legislation announced on September 10. The measure, America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, includes PMI-supported language formally authorizing the successful Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense program, as well as key investments in critical infrastructure for our country’s ports, harbors, inland waterways, and drinking water.

Over the past two weeks, PMI actively engaged with key stakeholders in support of WaterSense authorization language being included in a water infrastructure package and is pleased to support this final compromise that provides for the continuation of the WaterSense program – a focused, public-private partnership that identifies water-efficient and high-performing plumbing products. Having a statutorily authorized program is key to maintaining this important initiative.

“PMI applauds House and Senate lawmakers for developing this bipartisan water infrastructure package, which includes WaterSense authorization, and strongly urges its swift passage,” said PMI’s CEO/Executive Director Kerry Stackpole. “EPA’s WaterSense program is an example of an effective collaboration between industry and the government in determining voluntary water-efficient performance measures that can be used by industry and consumers, as well as by states and public and private agencies charged with supplying water to American households and businesses. Not only does WaterSense save water and money, it continues to drive innovation by U.S. plumbing manufacturers to deliver water-saving plumbing products.”

Under the WaterSense program, plumbing manufacturers have developed more than 27,000 models of WaterSense-labeled products, including showerheads, toilets, urinals, faucets, faucet accessories, and commercial pre-rinse sprays. Today, 1,700 WaterSense partners, including manufacturers, water utilities, building groups, retailers, associations and communities, collaborate on the program. Authorization will provide certainty to the program and its participants.

PMI applauds and recognizes the following members of Congress and their staffs for their strong leadership and long-standing support for passage of WaterSense authorization legislation that could be backed by many stakeholders: Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.), as well as Representatives Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), John Shimkus (R-Ill.), Robert Latta (R-Ohio), Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), and Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.).

Products earning the WaterSense label have been certified as meeting high performance standards while being at least 20 percent more water efficient than other products meeting federal standards in the same category. Over the past decade, WaterSense products have helped consumers save more than 2.1 trillion gallons of water and over $14.2 billion in water and energy bills. PMI and its members, as well as other valuable industry partners, have worked diligently over the years to formally authorize WaterSense.

The Senate and House of Representatives are expected to vote on the bipartisan water resources legislation shortly. PMI will continue to work to ensure that WaterSense authorization remains intact in the final package.

About Plumbing Manufacturers International

Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) 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 90 percent of the United States’ plumbing products. As part of its mission, PMI advocates for plumbing product performance and innovation contributing to water efficiency and savings, sustainability, public health and safety, and consumer satisfaction. PMI’s members are industry leaders in producing safe, reliable and innovative water-efficient plumbing technologies. PMI members manufacture water-efficient toilets, urinals, faucets, showerheads and other products at more than 70 locations in 25 states and that are sold in home improvement stores, hardware stores and showrooms and online. For more information on PMI, contact the organization at 1750 Tysons Blvd., Ste. 1500, McLean, Va., 22102; tel.: 847-481-5500; fax: 847-481-5501. www.safeplumbing.org.

Media contact: Ray Valek, ray@valekco.com, 708-352-8695