WE•Stand Technical Committee: The publication of the WE•Stand is a result of the exceptional work completed by the WE•Stand Technical Committee. Comprised of leading industry experts, the provisions contained in this standard reflect centuries of collective experience and knowledge of the committee. With representation from code officials, manufacturers, plumbing engineers, contractors, the plumbing trades, water-efficiency proponents, water utilities, landscape irrigation experts, representatives of other associations and academia, the contents of the WE•Stand include the latest comprehensive provisions aimed towards achieving safe and reliable water efficiencies in and around buildings.
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
Access document information and resources for We-Stand including purchasing, read only views, archive information, errata, press releases and more.
IAPMO’s Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard (WE•Stand) is an American National Standard, replacing the Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement. The publication of WE•Stand is noteworthy, as it is the first-ever standard that focuses solely on achieving safe and efficient water use in both residential and non-residential buildings.
WE•STAND
SIGNIFICANT PROVISIONS (CURRENT EDITION)
Codification and Safe Use of Composting Toilets: The WE•Stand contains the first set of comprehensive codified requirements for the design, installation, safe use, and maintenance of composting and urine diversion toilet fixtures applicable to commercial and residential applications. Composting toilet systems design provisions address corrosion resistance, concrete construction, commodes, compost processors, biologically active conditions, secondary composting, humus removal, and testing.
Alternate Water Source Systems: Detailed provisions are provided for gray water, on-site treated nonpotable water, rainwater, and reclaimed (recycled) water. Some progressive provisions include uses of gray water generated from clothes washers in landscape irrigation applications. These requirements reduce the cost of retrofitting gray water systems in single family homes and further promotes gray water reuse. The WE•Stand also allows for the installation of rainwater catchment systems up to 5000 gallons for non-potable uses without requiring inspections under certain conditions, further reducing costs to owners.
Onsite Treatment Systems: Blackwater and stormwater treatment systems covered by the WE•Stand require validation based on log reduction target performance and effluent water quality parameters. Included with these parameters are allowable water use scenarios with risk levels and appropriate methods of monitoring these systems. These requirements for a properly designed system, together with appropriate construction, operation, and maintenance, will help ensure blackwater and stormwater systems will be implemented safely and reliably.
WE•STAND
WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR
The WE-Stand provides an alternative to Hunter’s Curve when estimating water supply demand for residential buildings including single- and multi-family dwellings. This Water Demand Calculator estimates the supply demand for the whole building, as well as cold and hot water branches and risers for indoor water use based on today’s plumbing fixtures and appliances and usage patterns.
The Water Demand Calculator works in conjunction with any commonly accepted rules and procedures for sizing the water supply system. This results in the following:
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This achievement represents the first practical application of an improved method since the 1940s that does not result in excessive over design and oversizing pipes. Plumbing systems designed utilizing this new method will deliver water and energy efficiencies for the entire life of the plumbing system at a reduced cost. It is now available for use with any baseline plumbing code.
Water Efficiency and Conservation: In addition to the Water Demand Calculator, the WE•Stand includes methods for conserving potable and nonpotable water used and around buildings. Such conservation methods are comprised of the following:
- Condensate recovery
- Dedicated water metering requirements
- Flow restrictors for food waste devices
- HVAC water efficiency
- Landscape irrigation system design and installation
- Leak detection and control
- Maximum flow rates of plumbing fixtures
- Non-Sewered sanitation systems
- Onsite treatment systems for nonpotable reuse
- Rainwater used in lieu of potable water
- Reuse of alternate water sources (recycled) water and gray water
- Use of alternate water source for special water features
- Vehicle wash facilities
- Water recycling units for medical and laboratory facilities
Additional key provisions of the 2020 WE•Stand include:
- Potable and nonpotable rainwater catchment systems
- Recirculating shower systems
- References of industry standards addressing water treatment technologies
- Urine diversion systems
- Vacuum drainage systems
- Water heating design
WDC Summit 2022 Recordings
Recordings from the November 1, 2022 virtual meeting “The Water Demand Calculator: Small Steps & Giant Leaps,” hosted by IAPMO and ASPE are now available.