Water costs are rising. Codes are tightening. Customers are paying closer attention to their utility bills than ever before. New water efficiency regulations are reshaping how contractors approach upgrades, compliance, and customer conversations.

For plumbing contractors, that’s not a compliance burden. It’s a business opportunity.

New water efficiency regulations are creating:

Contractors who understand the shift are not just passing inspections. They are building structured efficiency service lines that generate predictable revenue and increase close rates.

Here is how to do the same.

The

International Code Council

publishes the International Plumbing Code (IPC), which many states adopt fully or with amendments.

The

2024 IPC

lowered allowable flow rates across major plumbing fixture categories. In jurisdictions that adopt the update, these are enforceable minimums.

Some states such as California and New York have led efficiency regulation for years, but adoption is accelerating nationwide as municipalities prepare for long-term water shortages.

You may see 0.125 gpf referenced for urinals. That is not the IPC minimum. That is the high-efficiency tier under

WaterSense

, a program backed by the

United States Environmental Protection Agency

.

When advising property managers, the difference matters. One is required by code. The other may qualify for rebates.

Accuracy builds trust. Clear guidance strengthens long-term relationships.

Every non-compliant fixture in your service area represents:

Code updates create a legitimate reason to reach back out to your database.

Contractors who track fixture age and installation history can proactively schedule upgrade conversations instead of waiting for failure-based calls.

Most homeowners do not care about gallons per flush.

They care about their monthly bill.

Your role is to translate regulation into savings.

According to EPA WaterSense data:

When you show that math clearly on an estimate, the conversation shifts from “Do I need this?” to “When does this pay for itself?”

For many households, it’s under two years.

That framing increases close rates without discounting.

The

EPA estimates

:

Pairing leak detection with efficiency upgrades increases ticket size while delivering measurable value.

That is not upselling. It is solving the full problem.

Commercial properties face:

Efficiency audits for restaurants, office buildings, and multi-family properties should be positioned as risk mitigation and operational cost control.

That supports

premium pricing

without pressure.

There is a difference between installing efficient fixtures when asked and building a repeatable

efficiency program

.

The second approach creates consistent, repeatable revenue.

Every technician should confidently answer:

Short weekly briefings on code updates create a culture of awareness.

Designate one person to monitor updates from:

Five minutes of structured education each week compounds over time.

Your database is your best

marketing channel

.

Look for:

Using your

service management system

to flag these properties allows you to create proactive outreach campaigns tied to savings and rebate deadlines.

This is where a structured workflow matters.

Instead of manually combing through records, contractors using FieldEdge filter by installation date, generate targeted lists, and create clear estimates that show projected savings.

The process becomes systematic, not manual.

More than

2,200 water utilities

offer rebate programs for WaterSense-certified products.

Rebates reduce friction at the moment of decision.

However:

Always verify local rebate requirements before quoting amounts.

Create a one-page rebate reference sheet and update it quarterly.

It pays for itself quickly.

Minor repairs typically do not trigger upgrade requirements.

Full replacements do.

If you replace a toilet, it must meet current code (including new water efficiency regulations). Even if the original was 3.5 gpf.

Stocking outdated inventory creates inspection risk.

Existing fixtures are typically grandfathered.

However:

Clear explanations reduce customer confusion.

The IPC is a model code. Adoption and amendments vary by:

Always verify local requirements before quoting commercial projects.

Expect:

The plumbing fixture market is projected to grow at roughly

4.5%

annually through 2030, driven largely by efficiency mandates.

Contractors who systematize now will benefit most from that growth.

Within five business days:

Then build repeatable workflows that include:

Efficiency upgrades should be operationalized, not improvised.

Water efficiency is not a temporary spike in demand.

It is a multi-year shift tied directly to regulation cycles.

When you build systems now, you will see:

FieldEdge

supports this type of structured growth by helping contractors:

Related:

Plumbing Service Quality Control

Are older plumbing fixtures illegal under new water efficiency regulations?

No. Existing fixtures are typically grandfathered, but replacements must meet current code.

Does replacing a toilet trigger new code requirements?

Yes. Full replacements must comply with current IPC flow-rate standards.

Are WaterSense fixtures required by code?

No. WaterSense certification exceeds code minimums but may qualify for rebates.