Premise Plumbing

AWWA Policy Statement on Premise Plumbing

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is committed to protecting public health through delivery of drinking water that meets or surpasses all applicable regulatory standards and through proactive community engagement and education on maintaining drinking water quality to the tap.

AWWA encourages utilities to establish comprehensive policies and operational goals that are designed to protect water quality in premise plumbing. AWWA also supports and encourages collaboration among utilities, public health agencies, property owner, and other stakeholders to develop measures for maintaining water quality that meets or surpasses regulatory standards and requirements in premise plumbing.

As part of the effort to maintain water quality, water utilities and stakeholders should work collaboratively to expand outreach efforts to inform and educate property owners and water consumers about the risks posed by water quality degradation in premise plumbing. Collaborations should recognize unique characteristics and risks associated with specific localized water systems and premise plumbing configurations and should develop appropriate outreach materials to address these risks. While water utilities can implement measures in treatment and distribution to reduce risks, property owners also must take steps to manage risks associated with premise plumbing. Furthermore, effectively managing water quality at all points of exposure within buildings requires collaborative solutions that successfully address the respective responsibilities of utilities, property owners and consumers for maintaining water quality.

Practices specified in this policy statement are consistent with all other pertinent AWWA policy statements.

Adopted by the Executive Committee on October 24, 2018.