New Ordinances Will Change Dallas Plumbing Code

The Dallas city council passed the green construction ordinance in April of 2008. This ordinance is proposed to reduce the amount of water and energy the city consumes by lowering the acceptable amounts used in new construction of commercial buildings and homes. The new ordinance will make changes to the Dallas plumbing code to reach the goals that have been set by the city.

Dallas has not always had the reputation of being a city aware of the environment. During the days of big oil, Dallas was a very conspicuous consumer of that number on money producer. Transportation was by personal vehicle and the larger the car or truck, the better. Now the city has a goal of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2030 and of lowering its energy consumption by fifty percent. Dallas wants to become know as one of the greenest cities in the nation. Already it has one of the largest fleets of clean city owned vehicles.

The first phase of the ordinance began on October 1, 2009. This phase requires that home builders build homes that are fifteen percent more energy efficient that those built to the base energy code. In addition Dallas plumbing code now requires that new construction meet four of the six water reduction strategies. Heating and plumbing codes will become even more stringent in 2011, when on October 1, all homes must be constructed to the higher standard of LEED and water use reduced by twenty percent.

The city council’s ordinance will also effect the plumbing codes that pertain to commercial buildings being constructed in the city. Now they must take measures to reduce their water consumption by twenty percent. Phase two of the ordinance keeps the water reduction at a similar twenty percent.

To reach these goals, Dallas plumbing companies will be looking for new fixtures that meet the requirements stated in the revised Dallas plumbing code. Commercial buildings may decide that they will use water reclamation systems to cut their water usage even further.

While there may be an initial cost increase for the plumbing fixtures that are required to meet the new Dallas plumbing code, owners of the homes and commercial buildings will reap benefits from the changes. Lower consumption means lower power and water bills.

Savings will also be more than just monetary. The new ordinance will help to protect our air and streams. Dallas will be a cleaner city and will continue to provide a safe place for generations to come.

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