The plumbing industry is undergoing a major shift from tradition-based design to evidence-driven engineering. For decades, outdated sizing models led to oversized systems, stagnant water, and unnecessary costs. Now, new research initiatives are challenging those assumptions by using real-world data to guide smarter, safer, and more efficient plumbing design. A modern sizing tool developed through extensive residential studies has already shown benefits like reduced material use, faster hot water delivery, and improved water quality. Efforts are now underway to expand this approach to commercial buildings, where usage patterns are more complex and the stakes even higher.

Supporting this transformation is a growing research ecosystem focused on public health, sustainability, and practical innovation. A dedicated fund is helping bridge gaps in water science, while the integration of a leading environmental research institute has strengthened the industry's ability to address issues like Legionella, disaster recovery, and material safety. Together, these efforts mark a turning point—moving plumbing engineering from reactive tradition to proactive, science-based solutions that better serve communities and the environment. Click here to read more.