"Water shortages are expected to become more and more common in the coming decades. A 2003 report by the U.S. General Accounting Office reported that 36 states are likely to experience water shortages by 2013."

"Water use in and around buildings, from both public water supplies and well water, accounts for about 47 billion gallons (180 billion l) per day, or 12% of U.S. water use... Residential indoor water use is dominated by toilets, clothes washers, showers, faucets, and (significantly) leaks, according to a 1999 report from the American Water Works Association Research Foundation."

"There are strong indications that water will become a more limited resource over the coming decades, and it is important for building professionals to pay close attention to these trends and build up the expertise needed to reduce water consumption in and around buildings should supply become further constrained."

— Water: Doing More With Less(Environmental Building News, February 2008)

The Master Plumbers' and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) created a training and accreditation program called "GreenPlumbers" in 2001, and has since accredited over 5,000 plumbers in that country — where water consumption is down by nearly half from 1990 levels. Now the educational and environmental training program has been introduced in the U.S. as GreenPlumbers USA by the non-profit California PHCC (Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors) Education Foundation through an agreement with MPMSAA. The program is available — for free — to journey-level plumbers; registration fees are subsidized through government, agency, utility, and manufacturer partnerships. The training workshops are arranged with local and state jurisdictions, utilities, and water agencies. The training is a five-part, 32-hour accreditation including: Climate Care (8 hours)

• Emissions in Home and Business
• Hot Water Heating
• Energy Consumption
• Heating Appliances
• Cooling Appliances

Caring For Our Water (8 hrs)

• The Water Cycle
• Water Efficient Products
• New Technology
• Reducing Household Water Consumption
• Storm Water Runoff Pollution and Prevention
• Introduction to Household Water Audits

Solar Hot Water (4 hrs)

• Solar Hot Water Technology
• Rebate Information
• Retrofit Sizing and Installation
• New Technology

Water Efficient Technology (8 hrs)

• Recycled Water
• Rain Water
• Graywater
• Septic Tanks/Wastewater Treatment Systems
• Environmental/Public Health/Safety Regulations

Inspection Report Service (4 hrs)

• Commercial / Industrial and Residential Buildings
• Water and Energy Audits
• Inspections and Reporting
• Assessment and Strategies
• Creating a Master Plan for Future Improvements

Courses are currently scheduled in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Washington. There is a form on the website to request workshops for your area. Online training is expected to be available this Fall.