RCW 19.27.170
Water conservation performance
standards -- Testing and identifying fixtures that meet
standards -- Marking and labeling fixtures.(1) The state building
code council shall adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW that
implement and incorporate the water conservation performance
standards in subsections (4) and (5) of this section. These
standards shall apply to all new construction and all remodeling
involving replacement of plumbing fixtures in all residential,
hotel, motel, school, industrial, commercial use, or other
occupancies determined by the council to use significant
quantities of water.
(2) The legislature recognizes that a phasing-in approach to
these new standards is appropriate. Therefore, standards in
subsection (4) of this section shall take effect on July 1, 1990.
The standards in subsection (5) of this section shall take effect
July 1, 1993.
(3) No individual, public or private corporation, firm,
political subdivision, government agency, or other legal entity
may, for purposes of use in this state, distribute, sell, offer
for sale, import, install, or approve for installation any
plumbing fixtures unless the fixtures meet the standards as
provided for in this section.
(4) Standards for water use efficiency effective July 1,
1990.
(a) Standards for waterclosets. The guideline for maximum
water use allowed in gallons per flush (gpf) for any of the
following waterclosets is the following:
| Tank-type toilets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
3.5 gpf. |
| Flushometer-valve toilets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
3.5 gpf. |
| Flushometer-tank toilets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
3.5 gpf. |
| Electromechanical hydraulic toilets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
3.5 gpf. |
(b) Standard for urinals. The guideline for maximum water
use allowed for any urinal is 3.0 gallons per flush.
(c) Standard for showerheads. The guideline for maximum
water use allowed for any showerhead is 3.0 gallons per minute.
(d) Standard for faucets. The guideline for maximum water
use allowed in gallons per minute (gpm) for any of the following
faucets and replacement aerators is the following:
| Bathroom faucets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
3.0 gpm. |
| Lavatory faucets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
3.0 gpm. |
| Kitchen faucets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
3.0 gpm. |
| Replacement aerators . . . . . . . . . . . . |
3.0 gpm. |
(e) Except where designed and installed for use by the
physically handicapped, lavatory faucets located in restrooms intended for
use by the general public must be equipped with a metering valve
designed to close by spring or water pressure when left
unattended (self-closing).
(f) No urinal or watercloset that operates on a continuous
flow or continuous flush basis shall be permitted.
(5) Standards for water use efficiency effective July 1,
1993.
(a) Standards for waterclosets. The guideline for maximum
water use allowed in gallons per flush (gpf) for any of the
following waterclosets is the following:
| Tank-type toilets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
1.6 gpf. |
| Flushometer-tank toilets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
1.6 gpf. |
| Electromechanical hydraulic toilets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
1.6 gpf. |
(b) Standards for urinals. The guideline for maximum water
use allowed for any urinal is 1.0 gallons per flush.
(c) Standards for showerheads. The guideline for maximum
water use allowed for any showerhead is 2.5 gallons per minute.
(d) Standards for faucets. The guideline for maximum water
use allowed in gallons per minute for any of the following
faucets and replacement aerators is the following:
| Bathroom faucets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
2.5 gpm. |
| Lavatory faucets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
2.5 gpm. |
| Kitchen faucets . . . . . . . . . . . . |
2.5 gpm. |
| Replacement aerators . . . . . . . . . . . . |
2.5 gpm. |
(e) Except where designed and installed for use by the
physically handicapped, lavatory faucets located in restrooms intended for
use by the general public must be equipped with a metering valve
designed to close by water pressure when unattended
(self-closing).
(f) No urinal or watercloset that operates on a continuous
flow or continuous basis shall be permitted.
(6) The building code council shall establish methods and
procedures for testing and identifying fixtures that meet the
standards established in subsection (5) of this section. The
council shall use the testing standards designated as American
national standards, written under American national standards
institute procedures or other widely recognized national testing
standards. The council shall either review test results from
independent testing laboratories that are submitted by
manufacturers of plumbing fixtures or accept data submitted to
and evaluated by the international association of plumbing and
mechanical officials. The council shall publish and widely
distribute a current list of fixtures that meet the standards
established in subsection (5) of this section.
(7) The building code council shall adopt rules for marking
and labeling fixtures meeting the standards established in
subsection (5) of this section.
(8) This section shall not apply to fixtures installed
before July 28, 1991, that are removed and relocated to another
room or area of the same building after July 28, 1991, nor shall
it apply to fixtures, as determined by the council, that in order
to perform a specialized function, cannot meet the standards
specified in this section.
(9) The water conservation performance standards shall
supersede all local government codes. After July 1, 1990,
cities, towns, and counties shall not amend the code revisions
and standards established under subsection (4) or (5) of this
section.[1991 c 347 § 16; 1989 c 348 § 8.]
NOTES:
Purposes -- 1991 c 347: See note following RCW 90.42.005.
Severability -- 1991 c 347: See RCW 90.42.900.
Severability -- 1989 c 348: See note following RCW 90.54.020.
Rights not impaired -- 1989 c 348: See RCW 90.54.920.