The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and World Plumbing Council will host an Emerging Technology Symposium Aug. 19-20 in Chicago, withStephen L. Johnson, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, delivering the keynote address. Bob Miodonski, publisher ofPM Engineer, will serve as one of the event’s moderators.

Other speakers includeJennifer Mercer(World Health Organization) on “The Role of Plumbing in the Protection of Public Health”;Mary Ann Dickinson(Alliance for Water Efficiency) on the impact of energy embedded in treated water;Tom Meyer(Green Mechanical Council), on “GreenSpeak” and the challenge of making green mainstream; andBill Hoffman(Hoffman & Associates), on alternative on-site sources of water and green building. Also,Glen Pleasance(Region of Durham, Ontario, Canada) will present the results of his home efficiency study;John Koeller(Alliance for Water Efficiency) andBill Gauley(Veritec Consulting Inc.) will talk on innovative new water savings products; andE.W. Boulware(Design-Aire Engineering) will discuss sizing and design of rainwater-catchment systems.

A proposed rating system for high-efficiency plumbing fixtures will be discussed byRobert Zimmerman(Kohler Co.), andRoy Sieber, ERG (WaterSense), will address five basic research needs to advance the WaterSense specification. Finally,Gary Klein, Affiliated International Management, LLC, will layout a plumbing system on the room floor.

Worldwide sponsors include the American Society of Sanitary Engineering, Indian Plumbing Association, Institute of Plumbing Australia, Inc., Alliance for Water Efficiency, American Standard, Sloan Valve, TOTO, Caroma, PF WaterWorks, PHCC and P.I.P.E.

Also taking place during the symposium will be the second meeting of the IAPMO Green Technical Committee. Its first meeting took place in April, when it convened to develop green plumbing, mechanical and solar codes. The committee was formed in the wake of a directive from IAPMO’s board of directors to mandate a minimum 10% reduction in energy and water use through code changes that require sustainable construction practices over the next three years. Committee members include engineers, contractors, union officials, association staff members, consultants and government employees. Along with creating separate green codes, the group will recommend changes to the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code that incorporate sustainable construction.