IAPMO, LA Department of Water and Power Sign MOU to Promote Water Conservation Efforts

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power have entered into a memorandum of understanding with the mutual goal of promoting water conservation, respective efforts and support in the development of technological innovations and the green plumbing industry. The collaboration also will provide support to LADWP and its partnership with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator for more sustainable building operations and the green economy.

LADWP will provide workspace in a laboratory for an IAPMO project engineer at the La Kretz Innovation Campus, a new LADWP facility created to promote the development of sustainable emerging technologies — including those with a focus on water conservation and energy efficiency — to assist with furthering the development of water conservation efforts and to support emerging technological innovations.

IAPMO will advise, assist and support LADWP in expanding water conservation and the use of local water resources in order to meet water supply plans in a more sustainable manner. These efforts are designed to decrease the demand for imported water with the development and installation of innovative water conservation technologies. IAPMO will help LADWP meet regulatory requirements for the installation of such equipment. One such example is increasing such sustainable local water efforts as the onsite re-use and distribution of recycled non-potable water.

IAPMO’s relationship with Los Angeles goes back to the early 1900s, and continues to be an integral part of the city’s ability to reduce per capita water consumption. In 2012, the city’s total water consumption was lower than that of 1970, despite a population increase of more than 1 million people.

In 2008, Los Angeles adopted High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures Ordinance No. 180822, then the nation’s most aggressive water-efficient plumbing fixtures ordinance, through collaborative efforts with IAPMO. More than 600 LADWP-owned buildings were retrofitted through a partnership between the department and United Association plumbers. These changes and mandatory implementations will save L.A. residents more than $2 billion from 2009 to 2029.

LADWP water conservation incentive programs and other ordinances (e.g., emergency water conservation and retrofit on resale) have resulted in the city’s per capita water consumption of 112 gallons per day in fiscal year 2017-18, one of the lowest of any major U.S. city. Such ordinances and incentives have made it possible for the LADWP to meet customer demand without having to increase the amount of water being delivered. They have saved city residents billions of gallons of water, allowing Los Angeles to grow while maintaining quality of life and economic development.