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/ p e o p l e industry /plumbing Tom Palkon Named Executive Director of ASSE Chapter The IAPMO Group has named Tom Palkon executive director of the ASSE International Chapter of IAPMO, LLC. Palkon will en- sure that all of ASSE International's activities are carried out within The IAPMO Group's vision, mis- sion and philosophy. Since 2015, Palkon has served as IAPMO's senior vice president of Water Systems, a responsibility he will retain. Before joining IAPMO, he spent 18 years with the Lisle, Illinois-based Water Quality Association — the last three months of which he was the organization's executive director — in strategic development and implementation, program/process design and development and business operations within the water treatment industry. /people Tom Palkon 2017 Edition of ASSE 1016/ASME A112.1016/CSA B125.16 Now Available ASSE 1016-2017/ASME A112.1016-2017/CSA B125.16- 17, Performance Requirements for Automatic Compensating Valves for Individual Showers and Tub/Shower Combinations, has been designated as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute, and is available for purchase. This second edition of the standard provides a set of mini- mum performance requirements for individual automatic compen- sating valves, which are intended to be installed at the point of use where users have access to flow or final temperature controls, and where no further mixing occurs downstream of the device. Shower control valves covered by this standard will, in cases of changes to the incoming water supply pressure or temperature, reduce the risk of scalding and thermal shock by protecting the user from exposure to changes in water temperature by providing a means of automatically main- taining the water temperature selected for an outlet. Visit asse-plumbing.org. VOLOKHATIUK/DREAMSTIME Plumbing Manufacturers International is focusing its 2017 advocacy on a series of efforts intended to educate policy- makers about the untapped water-saving potential of water-efficient plumbing products, potential threats to safe drink- ing water and the need for a restored national water infrastructure. While communications between PMI and policymakers about these issues are ongoing, CEOs and other top executives from PMI member companies will meet with legislative leaders during the orga- nization's Executive Forums and Fly-Ins planned for June 13-14 in Sacramento, California, and late summer or fall in Washington, D.C. The following is an overview on ongoing efforts to promote water efficiency and safe water: UNTAPPED WATER-SAVING POTENTIAL OF WATER-EFFICIENT PLUMBING PRODUCTS PMI and the Alliance for Water Efficien- cy have a study in progress to determine potential water savings that could be achieved by replacing older, inefficient toilets with water-efficient models. With results due shortly, the "Saturation Study of Non-Efficient Water Closets in Key States" is focused on Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia and Texas — all states that have experienced serious water shortages. This research follows up a 2015 PMI/GMP Research, Inc., study of water-efficient toilets, showerheads and faucets installed nationwide. POTENTIAL THREATS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER Another PMI study, in progress under the direction of Dr. Paul Sturman of Montana State University, will test the hypoth- esis that low-flow rates yield a greater proliferation of opportunistic waterborne pathogens, such as legionella, in potable water and create unsafe conditions. The results of this study also are expected to be released in the next few months. PMI is also awaiting with interest the results of a Virginia Tech study under the direction of Drs. Amy Pruden and Marc Edwards that is exploring the relative abundance and diversity of antibiotic-re- sistant genes and pathogens in reclaimed (recycled) versus potable water distribu- tion systems. This study is particularly relevant given plans in California to expand the installation of recycled water systems that use non-potable water in toilets and urinals and with personal hygiene devices (bidet seats) installed by consumers after construction. Virginia Tech researchers also recent- ly released the results of a study conclud- ing that interrupted corrosion control caused the Flint, Michigan water crisis. 1 NEED FOR RESTORED NATIONAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE With an aging underground water infrastructure having been identified as a contributor to lead-in-water crises in Flint and other locations, Congressional leaders from both parties have expressed interest in developing job-creating legislation that would restore Ameri- can infrastructure. PMI will be urging Congress to address water infrastruc- tural concerns through this legislation. Last summer, PMI introduced its water infrastructure advocacy through a posi- tion paper and infographic. For more information, visit safeplumbing.org. 1 http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs. est.6b04034 Saving Water PMI's 2017 advocacy focuses on water efficiency, water infrastructure and safe water RESTORING THE NATION'S AGING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE M U N I C I PA L WAT E R D Grade. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the U.S. drinking water system a D grade on its most recent Report Card for America's Infrastructure. Lead. Unsafe levels of lead from water service lines can leach into drinking water, if water treatment and quality are not closely managed and monitored by water utilities. Some municipalities have removed or plan to remove all lead service lines, but it's an expensive and disruptive process. Broken Water Mains and Leaks. 850 water main breaks occur each day. 1 More than 1.7 trillion gallons of treated water are lost to leaks annually, with 16 percent of treated water never reaching the tap. 2 Waterborne Pathogens. Legionella and other pathogens can grow in water systems and cause disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) are now the primary source of waterborne disease deaths in the United States. A growing body of evidence indicates that low flow rates may contribute to OPPPs, which are more likely to grow when water lies in pipes for a long time period. 3 Drought. Forecasters expect drought to affect 40 of 50 states within the next 10 years, making the saving of water currently lost through water main breaks and leaks essential. SOURCES: 1. UNI-BELL PVC PIPE ASSOCIATION; 2. U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY; 3. VIRGINIA TECH HVACPproducts.com HVAC & Plumbing Product News \ Spring 2017 6