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.

A look at some of the technical changes and clarifications in the soon-to-be-published, updated standard.

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.

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.

Kerry Stackpole, FASAE/CAE, PMI CEO/executive director addresses tariffs affecting our industry.

The forecast for geothermal heating and cooling technologies is continued growth, and code agencies are working on getting standards set in place.