NW Valley Times

The proposed amendment to modify the current 2018 International Plumbing Code and 2018 International Residential Code to require the use of EPA WaterSense Certified Fixtures in all development was approved by Mayor and Council with a 7-0 vote on June 6, 2023. The Tucson – Pima Joint Consolidated Code Committee voted 5-0 on May 4, 2023, to recommend approval of the amendments.

The amendments will go into effect 30 days after approval by Mayor and Council, setting the effective date of this code amendment as July 6, 2023. All plans/permits submitted after this date will be required to comply with the reduced maximum flow rates stated above.

The proposed amendment was initially directed by Mayor and Council during the October 18, 2022, study session to discuss water conservation measures related to the City Drought Response. WaterSense is a federally authorized, voluntary program sponsored by the EPA (established in 2006) that certifies water-efficient products and provides efficiency standards for plumbing fixtures, irrigation controllers, and sprinklers. WaterSense-labeled products and services are certified to use at least 20 percent less water, save energy, and perform as well as or better than regular models.

WaterSense is a federally authorized, voluntary program sponsored by the EPA (established in 2006) that certifies water-efficient products and provides efficiency standards for plumbing fixtures, irrigation controllers, and sprinklers. WaterSense-labeled products and services are certified to use at least 20 percent less water, save energy, and perform as well as or better than regular models.

                                                                                            EPA WaterSense Fixtures Specifications

Fixture	Maximum Flow Rate
Tank-Type Toilets	1.28 gallons/flush
Lavatory Faucets	1.5 gpm at 60 psi
Flushing Urinals	0.5 gallons/flush
Flushometer-Valve Toilets	1.28 gallons/flush
Showerheads	Equal to or less than 2.0 gallons per minute

 

A complete copy of the amendments can be found at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/pdsd/water-conservation-code-amendments.

If you have any questions concerning the approved amendments, contact Daniel Bursuck at 520-837-4984.

Original source can be found here.