Rebuilding Plumbing Systems in the Southeast: A Guide to Resiliency and Cost-Efficiency

The 2024 hurricanes that ravaged the Southeastern United States — Helene and Milton — left homes and communities torn down to the foundations. From Florida to the Carolinas, plumbing systems — critical to clean water access and sanitation — were not exempt from the destruction, suffering from flooding, pipe damage and contamination. As communities rebuild, there is an opportunity to go beyond simple restoration and create systems that are resilient and efficient.

Impact on Plumbing Systems

Natural disasters wreak havoc on plumbing systems in numerous ways. The destruction caused by these disasters extends beyond immediate repairs. Corroded pipes, damaged fittings and displaced components often require extensive replacement to restore a safe and functional plumbing system. The aftermath of natural disasters also accelerates water contamination risks, as floodwaters carry debris, bacteria and other harmful substances into water systems.

In many cases, disasters don’t just break the plumbing; they expose weaknesses that existed all along. Rebuilding is an opportunity to make systems stronger, more efficient and more resilient.

“Resiliency is being able to bounce back from a sudden disaster,” said Christoph Lohr, P.E., vice president of Technical Services and Research at IAPMO, adding that smarter plumbing systems can reduce costs, save water and energy and enhance overall safety.

By focusing on principles such as right-sizing pipes, efficient designs and advanced technologies, Southeast communities can rebuild systems that are better prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.

Right-Sizing Pipes

Right-sized pipes are the cornerstone of resilient plumbing systems. Oversized pipes, common in older infrastructure, lead to water stagnation, longer hot water delivery times and unnecessary construction costs. In disaster-prone areas, where every dollar counts during recovery, right-sizing balances upfront costs with long-term performance and safety.

“When you have to rebuild, especially a house that’s been destroyed and you’re trying to reduce costs or make the system more affordable, right-sizing is going to make a lot of sense,” Lohr said.

Reducing pipe sizes to align with today’s water-efficient fixtures has been recognized as a critical step in modern plumbing design. A recent New York Times article highlighted how such practices not only save materials but also prevent issues like water aging — helping systems deliver hot water faster and reducing the risks of bacterial growth.

In addition to improving water quality, right-sizing significantly reduces construction and material costs.

Smarter Plumbing Design

Beyond right-sizing, resilient plumbing systems rely on efficient layouts that centralize fixtures and minimize pipe lengths. Compact designs improve water delivery speed, reduce waste and lower utility bills, all while making the overall system more reliable.

Efficient layouts are especially valuable during disasters, as they simplify repairs and minimize the risk of system failure. When pipes are shorter and more centralized, leaks are easier to locate and fix, ensuring water service can be restored quickly after an emergency.

Leak detection is another essential component of resilient design. “Leak detection systems can sense water characteristics such as pressure, flow and any movement that’s irregular, and notify the homeowner via a smartphone whenever a leak occurs in the plumbing systems,” said Hugo Aguilar, P.E., senior vice president of Codes and Standards at IAPMO. “These devices can be installed locally at the fixture or at the main water supply. Adding leak detection systems to a rebuild will be good for resiliency.”

These products follow the guidance of IAPMO Z1349:Devices for Detection, Monitoring or Control of Plumbing Systems, ensuring performance standards are met.

Sustainability and Resiliency

A resilient plumbing system is also a sustainable one. Systems that conserve water, reduce energy consumption and integrate alternative water sources help communities better manage resources and recover quickly after disasters.

Water-efficient solutions and practices include the use of water-conserving products designed with guidance on maximum flow rates to reduce consumption effectively without compromising functionality. Efficient HVAC systems can incorporate advanced features such as evaporative coolers with overflow alarms to alert building owners, tenants or maintenance personnel of excess water flow, minimizing loss and condensate recovery systems that capture and reuse water from HVAC operations for non-potable purposes.

On-site non-potable water systems play a crucial role by collecting, storing and treating sources like recovered condensate and treated non-potable water for applications such as irrigation and cooling, and flushing toilets. By adhering to specific requirements and guidelines, these solutions pave the way for innovative advancements in water management, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in both new and existing buildings.

Energy-efficient methods like smaller hot water footprints and technologies like WaterSense-certified fixtures further improve sustainability.

WE•Stand

The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District has already recognized the value of the Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard (WE•Stand), adopting the 2020 version to guide efficient and resilient water use practices in the region. Communities rebuilding with resiliency in mind can turn to comprehensive standards like WE•Stand, the first American National Standard focused entirely on the efficient water use in buildings while maintaining safety. Developed by IAPMO, WE•Stand provides guidelines to improve water efficiency, conserve resources and ensure plumbing systems operate safely and effectively.

A significant feature of the 2023 WE•Stand is the inclusion of the IAPMO Water Demand Calculator® in Chapter Five as a core tool for right-sizing water supply systems. The Water Demand Calculator, a revolutionary tool in modern plumbing design, allows professionals to determine pipe sizing more accurately, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness while preventing water stagnation and related risks.

“If right-sizing, energy efficiency, water-saving features and leak detection make sense to you, they are all incorporated in the WE•Stand, which isn’t included in other documents in the base plumbing code,” Lohr said.

The 2023 WE•Stand Includes:

• Right-Sizing Guidelines: Tools and guidance to ensure pipes are optimized for cost and performance.

• Energy-Efficiency Provisions: Standards for efficient plumbing layouts and technologies like hot water recirculation systems.

• WaterSense Fixture Requirements: Guidelines for water-saving fixtures that reduce usage without sacrificing performance.

• Smart Leak Detection: Recommendations for integrating advanced leak detection systems to prevent water damage and minimize loss.

• HVAC Water Efficiency Requirements: Provisions for evaporative coolers with overflow alarms to reduce water waste.

• Condensate Recovery Systems: Requirements for capturing and treating on-site non-potable water.

By adopting WE•Stand, jurisdictions can ensure that plumbing systems meet modern demands for efficiency, safety and resiliency, all while addressing the unique needs of their communities.

Collaboration is Key

Rebuilding resilient plumbing systems requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders. Engineers, plumbers, architects and policymakers must work together to design systems for long-term success. Educating homeowners about the benefits of right-sizing, efficient layouts and sustainable technologies ensures rebuilt systems meet immediate needs and long-term goals.

Path to Resilient Future

Hurricanes Helene and Milton underscored the vulnerabilities in Southeastern plumbing infrastructure but also presented a chance to build better. Right-sizing pipes, efficient layouts and smart technologies form the foundation of resilient plumbing systems. Coupled with comprehensive frameworks, these strategies ensure that rebuilt systems are prepared for the challenges of the future.

By focusing on resiliency, efficiency and collaboration, Southeastern communities can turn disaster recovery into progress, creating plumbing systems that meet today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s uncertainties.

Mike Flenniken is an award-winning staff writer for Official Magazine, distributed to IAPMO’s worldwide base of plumbing and mechanical officials.