When involved in a collaborative, international health care project, it is best to set aside what you know and open your mind to how other parts of the world treat their drinking water. Take what you have learned and evaluate it to see if the processes can be applied elsewhere.

Capturing and reclaiming water, once an idea primarily of interest to environmentalists, is serious business today as municipalities’ aging water infrastructures and shrinking budgets are under stress. Combined with modern technology, these old ideas are finding new uses in commercial applications.

Safe drinking water is a precious commodity. Yet there are no universally recognized and accepted international standards for drinking water. Even where standards do exist and are applied, the number, types and permitted concentrations of contaminants covered may vary significantly from one standard to another.

With tankless water heating systems gaining popularity in commercial applications, it’s time to look at the pros and cons of tank vs. tankless to give your clients the best design.

Cities and states continue to decide what standard — Article 12C, Title 22 and NSF 350 — will work best for its residents. Regardless of the successes that these standards have thus far enjoyed, the goal should still be to create a single, standardized platform through which industry (and the public) can better understand the requirements imposed on them, as well as the potential risks of any onsite wastewater reuse system.

While plumbing leaks are a simple fact of life, the damage caused by them is almost completely preventable. Take these steps to protect your clients from the destructive effects of leaking water.

We have learned much about controlling the growth and spread of Legionella bacteria in water systems. Health-care facilities are especially vulnerable. ASHRAE-compliant water management programs can reduce the risk for Legionella and other pathogens in their water systems.

To achieve comfort and efficiency in a hot water distribution system, many plumbing engineers are incorporating hot water recirculation systems into their designs. But to reap the benefits of such a system, balancing valves must be incorporated into design considerations.

Michelle Shadpour, EIT, LEED AP, age 24 is a project manager at SC Engineers, San Diego. She is recognized as one of Plumbing Engineer's Top 10 in Their 20s and here's why...

Ron S. Saunders, CPD, age 29 is a project designer at Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc., Hunt Valley, Maryland. He is recognized as one of Plumbing Engineer's Top 10 in Their 20s and here's why...