[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50897-50899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21920]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket Number: 180904815-8815-01]


Request for Information Regarding Measurement Science Needs for 
Water Use Efficiency and Water Quality in Premise Plumbing Systems

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Request for Information (RFI).

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SUMMARY: Premise plumbing systems are key to the built environment, 
given that our ability to live and thrive in buildings is highly 
dependent on efficient and sustainable access to potable water. The 
design of premise plumbing systems in the U.S. is based in part on 
decades-old data embodied in building codes, much of which was 
developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

[[Page 50898]]

However, many important factors affecting these systems have changed 
considerably in recent years. Per capita water demand has declined, new 
materials have been introduced into plumbing systems, and there are 
growing concerns regarding human exposure to opportunistic pathogens in 
plumbing systems and other water quality issues. New information is 
needed to ensure that premise plumbing systems are designed, installed, 
and operated such that the goals of water efficiency, water quality, 
and energy efficiency are considered in an integrated manner. NIST 
requests information from the public regarding measurement science 
needs that must be addressed to inform future code revisions, green 
building standards, and guidance documents in ways that enable safe, 
reliable and efficient plumbing systems in buildings. Responses to this 
RFI will assist NIST in its execution of a project to investigate 
approaches that can reduce water and energy consumption and reduce or 
prevent water quality problems by informing improvements in plumbing 
system design, codes and standards.

DATES: Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on November 
9, 2018. Written comments in response to the RFI should be submitted 
according to the instructions in the ADDRESSES and SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION sections below. Submissions received after that date may 
not be considered.

ADDRESSES: Responses to this RFI can be submitted by either of the 
following methods:
     Agency Website: [https://www.nist.gov/el/energy-and-environment-division-73200/rfi-response]. Follow the instructions for 
sending comments on the agency website.
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``RFI 
Response: Regarding Measurement Science Needs for Water Use Efficiency 
and Water Quality in Premise Plumbing Systems'' in the subject line of 
the message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. David Yashar, Deputy Chief, Energy 
and Environment Division, Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 2201, Gaithersburg, MD 
20899, 301-975-5868, or by email to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Premise plumbing systems are key to the built environment, given 
that our ability to live and thrive in buildings is highly dependent on 
efficient and sustainable access to potable water. The design of 
premise plumbing systems in the U.S. is based in part on decades-old 
data embodied in building codes, much of which was developed at NIST. 
However, as described below, many important factors affecting these 
systems have changed considerably in recent years. Per capita water 
demand has declined and concerns exist regarding human exposure to 
opportunistic pathogens in plumbing systems and other water quality 
issues. New technical information is needed to ensure that premise 
plumbing systems are designed, installed, and operated such that the 
goals of water efficiency, water quality, and energy efficiency are 
considered in an integrated manner, based in part on the following 
considerations:
     Population growth and concerns over the scarcity of water 
and the ability to deliver potable water through an aging treatment and 
distribution infrastructure have led Americans to implement measures 
that reduced indoor household water use by 22% since the late 
1990's.\1\ As a result, new premise plumbing systems are being designed 
and installed with water flow rates that are significantly lower than 
those corresponding to the design data in building codes and other 
guidance.
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    \1\ Water Research Foundation, Residential End Uses of Water, 
2016. http://www.waterrf.org/PublicReportLibrary/4309A.pdf.
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     Many existing plumbing systems are being operated at lower 
flow rates than those for which they were designed to operate. These 
low flow rates create situations where water remains in distribution 
and building plumbing systems for longer periods of time, potentially 
rendering water treatment practices less effective and leading to 
conditions that can promote the growth of opportunistic waterborne 
pathogens.
     Materials used in piping networks and fixtures have 
changed, and there is insufficient information about their performance 
and impacts over time.
     Water stressed areas are considering on-site reuse for 
non-potable uses. However, there is some uncertainty regarding design 
criteria to implement these systems in a healthy and sustainable 
manner.
     The distribution and consumption of water inside a 
building has significant influence on the amount of energy that a 
building consumes. Efforts to advance energy efficiency may affect how 
water moves in a building as well as its resulting water quality.
     The need to use water more efficiently to supply a growing 
population and economy will not diminish as water shortages, most 
notably in the western U.S., become more frequent and/or severe. The 
U.S. Government Accountability Office predicts that water shortages in 
non-drought conditions will be experienced in 40 of the 50 states by 
2024.\2\
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    \2\ U.S. Government Accountability Office, Freshwater: Supply 
Concerns Continue, and Uncertainties Complicate Planning, May 22, 
2014. http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-430.
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    Based on these factors and trends, it is clear that research is 
needed to advance the state of knowledge that supports the design of 
new premise plumbing systems and the operation and retrofit of existing 
systems to conserve water resources, protect public health, and support 
community resilience.
    The input received through this RFI may be incorporated into a 
long-term research agenda to develop the codes, standards, and guidance 
to advance building water use efficiency and water quality which will 
be accessible to multiple public and private sector organizations. This 
research agenda will target the following core issues:
     Updated data and models to support the codes, standards, 
and guidance necessary for the design of new premise plumbing systems 
based on the lower water flow rates, the use of new materials, and the 
increased awareness of opportunistic pathogens and other water quality 
issues.
     Information to inform codes, standards, and guidance for 
the operation and potential retrofit of existing plumbing systems that 
are subject to lower water flow rates than those for which they were 
designed and which may be affected by degradation in system materials 
over time.
     Codes, standards, and guidance for future plumbing systems 
based on increasing demands for water efficiency and water quality, 
employing technologies such as onsite reuse, and different scales of 
delivery and treatment.
     Codes, standards, and guidance for human factors related 
to water use as well as system operation and maintenance.
    For the purposes of this RFI, premise plumbing is defined as all 
potable and non-potable, piping and appurtenances (e.g., water heaters, 
chillers) within a property line, and includes reuse, collection 
system, and onsite storage within a residential or commercial facility. 
NIST is interested in issues related to the following aspects and 
features of premise plumbing systems:

 All premise plumbing systems in residential, commercial and 
industrial

[[Page 50899]]

buildings, per the above definition, including but not limited to 
irrigation systems, fire suppression systems, cooling towers, water 
features and data centers
 Materials used in plumbing systems, their resistance to 
corrosion, their ability to maintain structural integrity, and their 
interaction with contaminants and treatment chemicals
 System operation and maintenance, and occupant water use
 Water quality conditions at point of entry into the building
 Data needed for design and operation, including water demand 
assumptions
 Models for designing new systems and evaluating existing 
systems

II. Request for Information

    NIST requests information from the public regarding measurement 
science needs that must be addressed to inform future code revisions, 
green building standards, and guidance documents in ways that enable 
safe, reliable and efficient plumbing systems in buildings. Responses 
to this RFI will assist NIST in its execution of a project to 
investigate approaches that can reduce water and energy consumption and 
reduce or prevent water quality problems by informing improvements in 
plumbing system design, codes and standards.
    Respondents are encouraged--but are not required--to respond to 
each question and to present their answers after each question. The 
following questions cover the major areas about which NIST seeks 
comment. Respondents may organize their submissions in response to this 
RFI in any manner, and all responses that comply with the requirements 
listed in the DATES and ADDRESSES sections of this RFI will be 
considered.
    Attachments will be accepted in plain text, Microsoft Word, or 
Adobe PDF formats. Comments sent by any method other than those 
specified in this notice, to any address or individual other than those 
specified in this notice, or received after the end of the comment 
period, may not be considered. Comments containing references, studies, 
research, and other empirical data that are not widely published should 
include copies or electronic links of the referenced materials.
    All submissions, including attachments and other supporting 
materials, will become part of the public record and subject to public 
disclosure. NIST reserves the right to publish comments publicly, 
unedited and in their entirety. Sensitive personal information, such as 
account numbers or Social Security numbers, or names of other 
individuals, should not be included. Submissions will not be edited to 
remove any identifying or contact information. Do not submit 
confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected 
information. Comments that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or 
other inappropriate language or content will not be considered.
    NIST is interested in receiving information from the stakeholder 
community to answer the following questions:
    (1) What are the most important issues to design and operate safe, 
healthy, reliable, and efficient plumbing systems?;
    (2) In the context of the core issues listed above or any other 
issues identified in this notice, what are the research needs that 
should be considered in developing this research agenda?;
    (3) Is there any other information respondents want to provide 
regarding this effort?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 272(b)(10).

Kevin A. Kimball,
Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2018-21920 Filed 10-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-13-P