WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR

Estimating water supply demand for residential buildings

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.

Provisions for using the Water Demand Calculator are published in the 2018, 2021 and 2024 UPC and 2020 WE•Stand appendices. These documents contain a download link for the Water Demand Calculator.

System Requirements:

The Water Demand Calculator is a Microsoft Office Excel file and requires a compatible version of Excel 2009 or later to prevent loss of functionality. This file also uses active content (macros). When downloading this file, Microsoft Office has security features causing a message bar to appear warning that the active content may contain viruses and other security hazards that could harm your computer or your organization’s network and that the macros have been disabled. This does not mean that viruses have been detected. It only means that active content has been detected and the user is being warned. Since the source file comes from IAPMO, the file can be trusted and the macros can be enabled. You may need to change the settings in the Trust Center on your computer (find this in the Options section of Microsoft Office applications).

Once the file is trusted, the warning will no longer appear. You may also need to check with your company's System's Administrator for security permission to download a file with macros.

WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR

ENABLING MACROS AFTER DOWNLOADING WDC VERSION 2.2

1. Download the WDC v2.2. (Windows) or WDC v2.2 (Mac OS)

2. Open the downloaded file click enable editing 

3. Close the security risk warning

4. Unblock macros (modifying the file properties)

  1. Open Windows File Explorer and go to the folder where you saved the file.
  2. Right-click the file and choose Properties from the context menu.
  3. At the bottom of the General tab, select the Unblock checkbox and select OK.

SIGNIFICANT PROVISIONS (CURRENT EDITION)

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Flow of Algorithms
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Image Courtesy of Dr. Steven Buchberger, University of Cincinnati
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Water Demand Calculator

Water Demand Calculator Task Group 
IAPMO Seeks Water Demand Calculator Task Group Members.  Interested in participating on the Water Demand Calculator Task Group? Read More

Disclaimer:
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the Water Demand Calculator (“Calculator”), neither IAPMO nor any other party makes any warranties, express or implied, or representations as to the accuracy of the Calculator. Neither IAPMO nor any other party assumes any liability or responsibility for any error or omissions in the information contained in or output by the Calculator. Neither IAPMO nor any other party assumes any responsibility for the consequences of use of such information, nor for any infringement of third party intellectual property rights which may result from its use.

Please email any comments on the calculator to Dan.Cole@IAPMO.org

WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR

SUCCESS STORIES

Water Demand Calculator Article Featured in The New York Times

In an article by Megy Karydes, the Water Demand Calculator is highlighted as a key solution to a critical issue: oversized plumbing pipes. These oversized pipes not only waste significant amounts of water but can also negatively impact water quality. Developed by IAPMO experts Dan Cole and Toju Omaghomi, the Water Demand Calculator helps ensure pipes are "right-sized" for optimal performance. As Christoph Lohr explains in the article, the Water Demand Calculator is a vital tool for creating more sustainable and efficient plumbing systems.

Castle Rock, Colorado, Adopts Water Demand Calculator® for Residential Water Supply Pipe Sizing

The Castle Rock, Colorado, town council has approved the adoption of IAPMO’s Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) Appendix M — the Water Demand Calculator® — as an alternative methodology for sizing water pipes in single- and multifamily buildings. The Castle Rock Town Code has been amended to require the use of the Water Demand Calculator for sizing water service lines and internal plumbing supply lines.

Seattle Advances Water Demand Calculator Use with Training

With an eye toward Seattle mandating use this year of IAPMO’s Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) Appendix M — the Water Demand Calculator® — for multifamily buildings, the county and local ASSE and IAPMO chapters recently held an in-person training for inspectors, installers and design professionals.

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