The Iowa Public Health Department has updated Chapter 25 of the Iowa Administrative Code, “State Plumbing Code,” from the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) to the 2024 edition. The update went into effect on March 26.

“The adoption of the most updated and current version of the Uniform Plumbing Code steadfastly demonstrates Iowa’s commitment to help ensure the latest standards reflect the contemporary and pressing challenges facing the state,” said Des Moines Senior Plumbing Inspector Brian Hamner. “This update is critical to strengthening the protection of Iowans from the known and evolving impediments to health and safety. The keystone of what each code update unites towards is access to safer and more reliable drinking water; it is absolutely paramount to protecting the health of all citizens, both now and each day after.” 

The UPC requires accredited third-party certification of drinking water treatment devices, fixtures, and components to the relevant American National Standards (ANS). The updates within the 2024 UPC are aligned with meticulous and rigorously tested recommendations throughout the plumbing industry. Updates that address the evolving water landscape in Iowa and beyond include: 

• Appendix M, Peak Water Demand Calculator. The UPC is the only national model plumbing code with significant updates for water pipe sizing in buildings since the development of Hunter’s Curve more than 80 years ago. It is the result of a multiyear, IAPMO-led effort to develop a new statistically based pipe sizing method stemming from a need to address profound water safety and wasted water and energy concerns due to oversized water supply pipes in homes and buildings.
• New provisions for private well water tanks. 
• Updated minimum water quality provisions for onsite treated nonpotable water systems, nonpotable water devices and systems, for harvested rainwater systems. 

The Iowa plumbing industry includes manufacturing, wholesale, and retail and has a combined direct economic impact exceeding $426 million. Additionally, manufacturing in the industry supports more than 1,800 jobs, paying more than $112 million in wages, and helps generate more than $86 million in tax revenue.