More builders and architects are building sustainability into their practice and conducting water efficiency planning including water-saving solutions and installation of water-saving measures, analyses of costs and uses of water, specification of water-saving solutions; installation of water-saving measures. As a result, Niagara recently launched a new CEU course for builders, architects, engineers, plumbing engineers and Read more
Industry News

More builders and architects are building sustainability into their practice and conducting water efficiency planning including water-saving solutions and installation of water-saving measures, analyses of costs and uses of water, specification of water-saving solutions; installation of water-saving measures.
As a result, Niagara recently launched a new CEU course for builders, architects, engineers, plumbing engineers and plumbers that addresses water conservation standards, ways to reduce water consumption and green building benefits.
The Benefits of Implementing Water Conservation Standards by Building Beyond Code. Niagara just launched a new CEU course on Water Conservation for building owners and builders, architects and engineers. A team of experts at Niagara pooled their resources together with AIA and created a course that qualifies for 1.00 LU/HSW hours called The Benefits of Implementing Water Conservation Standards by Building Beyond Code. The course is delivered via webinar through AEC Daily.
The planet is currently in a water scarcity crisis, and toilet water usage can have a significant impact on improving this crisis. This course examines the current plumbing codes, standards, and regulations that address toilet water usage. It also details the need for, and the benefits of, going beyond current standards as well as the goals of a variety of beyond the code voluntary standards and rating systems. It explains the various types of low and ultra low flow toilets, their pros and cons, and their selection criteria. It concludes with a sampling of successful cost and water saving installations. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Significantly reduce water consumption and costs by using low and ultra low flow toilets
- Capitalize on green building benefits by lowering water consumption with ultra high efficiency toilets (UHETs)
- Inform developers on financial incentives related to water conservation for affordable housing programs, and
- Optimize the benefits available from exceeding current code and standard water consumption requirements.
BIM object: In addition to the above course, Niagara recently teamed up with BIM Object, a company who offers rivet files to architects and engineers for specifying projects, to make specifying their fixtures even simpler. Engineers, contractors and architects can access files for all of Niagara’s Pro models to utilize their industry-leading warranties, earn LEED points, and merit lower tap or impact fees when specing out their next property
For more information on Niagara please visit niagaracorp.com.

Mechanical Hub Media is proud to be a media sponsor for the Seventh Emerging Water Technology Symposium (EWTS). The EWTS, a biennial symposium co-convened by the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE), the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI), continues to provide critical Read more
Mechanical Hub Media is proud to be a media sponsor for the Seventh Emerging Water Technology Symposium (EWTS). The EWTS, a biennial symposium co-convened by the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE), the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI), continues to provide critical insight into the future of our water-related industries. Join with your colleagues May 10-11 in San Antonio at this must-attend event. The speaker lineup this year is the strongest ever!
Two keynote speakers: Robert Puente, CEO of San Antonio Water Systems, will discuss how San Antonio Water Systems is cultivating a culture of technology to address water scarcity. The second keynote will be provided by Don Johnston, senior operations director, Indonesia, at Water.org.
Attendees will also hear from Sun Gil Kim, program officer at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Edward Osann, senior policy analyst at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); C.J. Lagan, Product Testing & Compliance leader at LIXIL; and Clement Cid, PhD, senior research engineer at Linde+Robinson Lab as they discuss the safety and performance requirements, and the likely regulatory framework, for the Reinvent the Toilet project.
Natascha Milesi-Ferretti, mechanical engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), will discuss several new research efforts that NIST will be addressing in the premise plumbing area — including a newly installed laboratory to characterize the pressure-flow relationship of plumbing fittings, a facility to study the growth of opportunistic pathogens in hot water systems as a function of temperature, water usage patterns and other factors, and other initiatives.
Learn the latest on keeping building water systems safe! Janet E. Stout, PhD, president and director, Special Pathogens Laboratory, will discuss new approaches for the control and spread of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens such as non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Kurt Steenhook, international representative, and Robert Viches, training specialist for the United Association, detail a compliance pathway for facility managers, contractors, and craftsmen to operationalize an appropriate response to the exposure of metals, chemicals, and bacteria to building occupants.
Dr. Markus Lenger, principal at Clean Blu, Inc., will be back at the EWTS to discuss advancements in the design and monitoring of water reuse systems, and the need for new standards that will result in more affordable and reliable applications that can help to make direct potable reuse a consumer product!
Hear from Academia! Professor Michael Gormley of Herriot Watt University will discuss virus presence, prevalence and fate within building wastewater sanitary systems; Professor Andrew Whelton of Purdue University will provide a presentation on predicting faucet water quality and predicting plumbing system contamination and recovery; and Professor Steve Buchburger of the University of Cincinnati will discuss the application and potential of the Water Demand Calculator.
Both days at the EWTS will include an informative panel discussion with today’s most notable subject matter experts. Day one’s panel will address the Effective Risk Management of Building Water Systems and Pathogen Control and day two’s panel will provide a discussion on the Implications of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on Drinking and Wastewater Systems.
Finally, the EWTS will again feature a Young Water Specialists presentation. This year, “Team HydroPuris” will present remotely from Washington, D.C., on their eCybermisson competition project, Enabling Access to Clean Water Using a Portable Water Purification and Testing System. Hearing from the water experts of the future is a fun and great way to conclude the symposium!
There’s so much more! See the full program at www.ewts.org, and register for the EWTS at https://www.aspe.org/2022-ewts-registration/. We hope to see you in San Antonio!

A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a world leader in water heating and water treatment, along with the A. O. Smith Foundation, the company’s charitable arm, has made a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross to help support humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. With operations across the globe, A. O. Smith believes in helping Read more
A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a world leader in water heating and water treatment, along with the A. O. Smith Foundation, the company’s charitable arm, has made a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross to help support humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. With operations across the globe, A. O. Smith believes in helping communities through efforts that focus on health and human services.

According to the American Red Cross website, more than two million people have fled Ukraine to nearby countries and an estimated 18 million – one-third of the country’s population – will need assistance. Red Cross teams have donated food, water, medical supplies, household items and hygiene parcels to families seeking safety.
“Our Foundation’s leadership agreed unanimously to offer this contribution as a small gesture to provide basic human necessities—food, water, shelter, medical care—to those affected,” said Kevin Wheeler, A. O. Smith chairman, president and CEO. “The Foundation deeply believes in giving back to our communities, and while the company doesn’t have operations there, it is impossible not to have compassion for those suffering in Ukraine.”
In addition to the Foundation’s direct financial support, A. O. Smith has also partnered with the American Red Cross to create a donation microsite to assist our employees in making personal contributions to the relief efforts if they choose.
The A. O. Smith Foundation is committed to making our communities a better place to live and work by partnering with and supporting nonprofit organizations around the world. Established in 1955, the Foundation has provided more than $50 million in financial support for worthwhile organizations, institutions and programs.
A.O. Smith Corporation
A.O. Smith Corporation, with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis., is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment products. For more information visit www.aosmith.com.
American Red Cross
All money raised through the American Red Cross will enable the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to respond to the humanitarian needs generated by the current situation in Ukraine. This support could include immediate and ongoing relief efforts or other critical humanitarian services as needs arise, both in Ukraine and surrounding countries, including supporting populations displaced.
Indianapolis—Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment and Transport WWETT, the world’s largest annual trade show for wastewater and environmental service professionals concluded its annual event February 21-24, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. With 10,500 registered professionals, the annual event connected notable and emergent brands with thousands of buyers, while providing ample networking opportunities and Read more
Indianapolis—Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment and Transport WWETT, the world’s largest annual trade show for wastewater and environmental service professionals concluded its annual event February 21-24, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. With 10,500 registered professionals, the annual event connected notable and emergent brands with thousands of buyers, while providing ample networking opportunities and a full range of education led by renowned industry experts.
The 2022 edition of WWETT took over 270,000 NSF of the Convention Center, hosting 450 industry-leading suppliers in the expo hall; thus, offering attendees access to a wide variety of products and activations from the world’s largest suppliers and manufacturers to specialized SMBs with specific services. Manufacturers and suppliers showcased the latest products, services, and technology for the water and wastewater industries, including notable companies such as Federal Signal, HammerHead Trenchless, Infiltrator Water Technologies, Satellite Industries, Ridge Tool, Draincables Direct, and more.
In addition to an expansive expo floor, registered participants had the opportunity to engage with world-class education made available at the event. The event’s educational programs served as inclusive and productive sessions that allowed for connections in specific groups. WWETT 2022 registered over 10,000 seats in education classes.
“The opportunities for learning, engagement, and growth for both attendees and exhibitors were exemplary at this year’s WWETT event,” said Lauren Lamb, VP, Strategy, Marketing, and Conference, WWETT at Informa Markets. “The live format allowed for regional and non-local companies to communicate their products and expectations effectively, while expanding their connections in the proper areas that will largely benefit their company and consumers, as well as the industry as a whole. The focus of quality product and innovation was at a peak this year, with many exhibitors launching products and solutions to solve the industry’s current challenges.”
Mixers for Women in the Industry and New to the Industry both served as successful networking events. The mixers hosted a larger audience than in years past, with important connections established. Women in the Industry’s purpose is to connect women throughout the convenience services industry, encouraging professionals to meet, share ideas and develop important business relationships.
WWETT hosted a well-attended welcome party with over 1,400 industry members in attendance, which featured live music and entertainment as well as casino games. The welcome party served as another opportunity for industry connections and engagement.

Membership in organization that certifies green businesses will drive sustainability initiatives impacting product development, supply chain practices, and employee work methods. Saniflo USA, a division of Group SFA, the world leader in above-the-floor macerating and grinding toilets and drain pumps, has joined the Green Business Bureau, a national membership organization that uses an online assessment Read more
Membership in organization that certifies green businesses will drive sustainability initiatives impacting product development, supply chain practices, and employee work methods.
Saniflo USA, a division of Group SFA, the world leader in above-the-floor macerating and grinding toilets and drain pumps, has joined the Green Business Bureau, a national membership organization that uses an online assessment to certify green businesses. By committing to going green, Saniflo continues to explore methods and practices that contribute to the goal of being environmentally and ethically responsible.

“Joining the Green Business Bureau signifies an initial step toward achieving our sustainable development goals,” says Regis Saragosti, CEO of SFA Saniflo North America. “To demonstrate our commitment to protecting the environment, we’re proud to be a member and look forward to being a recognized Green Leader in the plumbing manufacturing industry.”
As a company, Saniflo’s primary purpose is to design and manufacture innovative and effective home and professional plumbing solutions. The goal is to pursue social responsibility and a commitment to sustainability and community welfare as the company grows.
To that end, Saniflo has implemented the following green initiatives:
- Examine the entire supply chain, including overseas suppliers, to assess the sustainability reporting and track record of all suppliers.
- Provide employees with alternative work methods to reduce carbon emissions.
- Implement energy-efficient practices throughout their offices.
- Reduce waste by completing an assessment to help identify and quantify items in the business’ waste stream.
View Saniflo’s GBB Eco Profile here.