IAPMO Open Public Review for Manual on Potable Water Systems
Key Highlights
- The manual provides guidance for managing potable water systems during construction, renovations, and commissioning to protect water quality;
- It highlights key activities such as preconstruction planning, flushing protocols, water quality monitoring, and disinfection procedures;
- The document is educational, designed to complement existing standards without establishing enforceable requirements;
- Stakeholders including engineers, contractors, public health officials, and regulators are encouraged to review and comment by April 24.
Ontario, CA (March 10, 2026) — IAPMO®, a global team of experts engaging industry and government for a safer built environment, has opened a 45-day public review period for a revised draft of its Manual of Recommended Practice: Construction Practices for Potable Building Water Systems, inviting industry stakeholders to review and comment.
The updated draft reflects ongoing refinement informed by industry experience, emerging research, and stakeholder input. The manual provides guidance for managing potable building water systems during new construction, renovations, expansions, and commissioning, helping protect water quality before buildings are occupied.
The document addresses key construction-phase activities that can impact water quality, including preconstruction planning, construction practices, flushing protocols, water quality monitoring, and preoccupancy disinfection. It is intended for plumbers, contractors, engineers, building owners, inspectors, public health professionals, and authorities having jurisdiction.
“Construction is one of the most vulnerable periods in the life of a building water system,” said Christoph Lohr, vice president of Technical Services and Research at IAPMO. “This revision improves clarity, strengthens the technical guidance, and helps the industry address water quality risks before a building opens its doors.”
Construction activities can create conditions such as stagnation, sediment intrusion, disinfectant decay, and temperature fluctuations — factors that may contribute to the growth of waterborne pathogens. The proposed manual emphasizes proactive water management during construction as part of responsible commissioning and long-term building water management.
As a manual of recommended practice, the document is educational in nature and does not establish enforceable requirements. Instead, it complements existing codes, standards, and public health guidance with practical recommendations for the field.
IAPMO invites designers, contractors, building owners, water utilities, public health officials, regulators, and other interested stakeholders to participate in the review process. Public input is a key component of IAPMO’s open, consensus-based standards development process.
The public review period will remain open through April 24.
The draft document and instructions for submitting comments are available at:
https://iapmostandards.org/iapmo-industry-standards/45-day-public-review