The pipe manufacturing members of Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) have invested in growth while bringing their essential “behind-the-wall” perspective to the water-efficiency conversation. PMI and its members have advocated for a whole-system approach to help policymakers, especially those in drought-ridden states, understand how rightsized piping systems better support high-efficiency fixtures. 

Variety in PMI’s membership — a mix of pipe and fixture manufacturers, third-party certifiers and others — generates deeper, more enriched discussions about issues important to the plumbing manufacturing industry. 

Consequently, PMI is grateful for our pipe manufacturing members — Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC), Uponor and Viega — and their informed guidance on solving issues that can occur from the mismatch between today’s high-efficiency fixtures and the many older, larger piping systems still in operation. 

We’re also happy to see PMI’s pipe manufacturing members investing significantly in their manufacturing and distribution facilities. For example, RWC recently built a new 66,000-square-foot PEX-a manufacturing facility, enabling the company to supply up to 10 percent of total current PEX pipe demand in the United States, a March 2023 RWC news release reports.

Working Together on a Holistic Approach

Plumbing pipe and fixture manufacturers share similar interests in collaborating with industry partners and policymakers on the various water-efficiency regulations that continue to press for lower flow and flush rates. 

Meanwhile, PMI’s allied members — the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the International Code Council, CSA Group, UL Solutions and NSF International — are doing important work supporting a whole-system approach to plumbing. 

PMI advocates for legacy product replacement, which can quickly save significant amounts of water, and rightsizing and installing piping systems behind the wall. Unfortunately, most regulations focus on plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, showerheads and faucets, when considering water-reduction and water-efficiency measures.

For example, California has pushed for lower flush and flow rates to reduce water consumption and sustain the state’s water supply. PMI met with California legislators to stress the potential risks to infrastructure and public health associated with lowering toilet flush rates below WaterSense specifications — the industry standard. 

Adequate water is required to flush solids out of a toilet bowl, into a drainline, and through to a sewer line. Lower flush rates could cause more toilet clogs and double-flushing without proper pipe sizing taken into consideration. 

Across the country, many older plumbing systems contain larger pipe originally installed to support much higher flow rates to faucets, showerheads and toilets. Plumbing engineers, research scientists and other experts have been studying water demand and rightsized piping to help avoid unintended consequences, such as stagnant water issues that may lead to bacterial growth. 

PMI recognizes the importance of other holistic water-efficiency solutions that help to rightsize plumbing systems in residential buildings with the water-efficient fixtures being used today. New efforts focus on the drain, waste and vent portion of a plumbing system — further considering a whole-system approach. 

Getting broader support from everyone in the plumbing manufacturing industry is crucial to solving the complexities surrounding this issue.

Capacity Expansions to Meet Demand Upswing 

Over the past few years, PMI’s pipe manufacturers have been investing in growing their operations to meet higher product demand. Behind-the-wall plumbing product demand in the United States is projected to increase by 8.1 percent annually through 2025, according to a May 2022 Fredonia Group behind-the-wall plumbing report. 

The group attributes this growth to a rebound in commercial building construction, high home renovation activity, and elevated new housing construction combined with a shift toward larger bathrooms. 

In July 2023, Viega announced plans to invest more than $70 million over two years to expand U.S. manufacturing and support customer needs in North America, according to a Viega news release. The company, known for its press-fitting technology, is starting with $14 million toward expanding its production capacity in McPherson, Kan., to increase U.S. production of Viega ProPress products. 

Viega also is investing about $200 million to build a new production facility in Shalersville, Ohio, to strengthen its presence in North America. As part of the company’s broader sustainability goals, both the new building and the production processes will be climate-neutral. Uponor is enjoying a growth spurt, too. Over the past two years, the company expanded its manufacturing capacity in Minnesota. A $5 million renovation at Uponor’s Hutchinson plant created an additional 25,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The added space will increase the company’s PEX-a pipe extrusion production capacity by more than 10 percent and allow Uponor to move forward with a major investment in next-generation extrusion technology, reported a company news release 

The manufacturer invested another $5 million to add 57,000 square feet to its Lakeville Distribution Center.

PMI looks forward to seeing what our pipe manufacturing members achieve next. Their critical behind-the-wall perspective will help PMI continue to educate policymakers while advocating for a whole-system approach to achieving water efficiency.