Hidden Heroes of Water Conservation: How Plumbing Fixtures Are Saving Trillions of Gallons

Water is one of our most precious resources, yet we waste billions of gallons every year—often without even realizing it. But what if the biggest solution wasn’t flashy new technology, but something as simple as the toilet, showerhead, or faucet in your home?

In this episode of The Authority Podcast: Plumbing Mechanical, host Christoph Lohr welcomes back Kerry Stackpole, CEO & Executive Director of Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI), for a powerful conversation about how everyday plumbing fixtures are already making a massive impact in the fight for water conservation. Thanks to the U.S. EPA’s WaterSense program, these unsung heroes have saved an astonishing 8.7 trillion gallons of water—enough to sustain millions of families. But there’s still so much more to do.

With only 22% of California’s toilets meeting WaterSense standards, we’re leaving an enormous amount of savings untapped. Christoph and Kerry explore how small changes—like upgrading outdated plumbing fixtures—can lead to huge environmental and financial benefits. They also dive into the policy shifts, technological advancements, and industry leadership driving a future where wasted water becomes a thing of the past.

This isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about preserving our water for future generations. Tune in to hear how you can be part of the solution and why the plumbing industry is stepping up to protect our most vital resource before it’s too late.

Related links: https://www.epa.gov/watersense