The Plumbing Industry Leadership Coalition (PILC) convened in Gaithersburg, Maryland, this week to coordinate advocacy on workforce, trade, water regulation and federal programs that affect public health and the built environment.
Shared Challenges Prompt Unified Action
Representatives from the major plumbing and HVAC associations—including PHCC, PMI, IAPMO, ASPE and ARCSA—met at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) campus. Their goal, according to Kerry Stackpole, CEO of PMI, was to “collaborate where collaboration delivers better outcomes for the industry and the public.” The coalition argues that a single voice can accelerate policy changes and reduce costs for members.
Discussion centered on three pillars: people, policy and science. Workforce development, trade‑related tariffs, and an evolving water‑regulatory environment were identified as the most pressing issues. The participants also reaffirmed support for existing federal initiatives such as the EPA’s WaterSense program, which they say has saved billions of gallons of water since its inception.
Trade Tariffs Reshape Procurement Strategies
Trade and tariff policy emerged as a concrete concern for contractors. Dain Hansen, IAPMO’s executive vice president for government relations, outlined current duties: 50% on steel, aluminum and copper, 25% on fabricated derivatives, 15% on equipment containing those metals, and a 10% baseline on other imports. He noted that about 70% of plumbing contractors feel the impact, with material costs rising roughly 7% annually in early 2026.
To mitigate volatility, members are adding price‑escalation clauses, buying and stockpiling inventory earlier, and diversifying suppliers. The upcoming review of the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement (USMCA) could further influence pricing, urging early engagement before new terms are set.
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Regulatory Uncertainty Over PFAS
EPA’s proposed rule changes on per‑ and poly‑fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) added another layer of complexity. The agency plans to rescind drinking‑water standards for four PFAS chemicals while extending compliance deadlines for PFOA and PFOS to 2031. Hansen described the move as “still in rulemaking” and noted that several states have already enacted stricter limits.
The coalition’s stance is to keep certified point‑of‑use and point‑of‑entry treatment solutions in place, regardless of the final federal standards. That approach aligns with the Healthy H2O Act and other bipartisan bills the group is pushing on Capitol Hill.
Advocacy on Capitol Hill
PILC’s “lobby day” targeted nine priority items grouped into three categories: trade and customs enforcement, legislation, and appropriations. The legislative agenda includes the Advancing Water Reuse Act, the Water Conservation Rebate Tax Parity Act, the Healthy H2O Act, and workforce provisions under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
On the appropriations side, the coalition is urging Congress to maintain funding for NIST’s plumbing research program and EPA’s WaterSense initiative. While the administration’s FY2027 budget proposal calls for a sharp cut to NIST’s budget—down to about $854 million—Congress has historically resisted such deep reductions. The House Appropriations Committee now estimates NIST funding at roughly $1 billion, a modest trim from the previous year.
Data Centers Enter the Water Conversation
Another unexpected topic was the water footprint of data centers. A single 100‑megawatt facility can consume water equivalent to 2,600 households, and larger sites may use ten times that amount.
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Lawmakers are considering a Data Center Water and Energy Transparency Act that would require disclosure of water and energy use.
Plumbing professionals have a role in shaping efficient cooling, water‑reuse and recycling practices for these high‑consumption sites.
Budget Pressures at NIST and EPA
Budget discussions revealed a tension between the administration’s aggressive cuts and Congress’ more measured approach. While the White House’s FY2027 request seeks significant reductions, the Senate is expected to release its own proposal later this month, likely resulting in a compromise that sits above the administration’s opening offer.
Programs like WaterSense survive because they have bipartisan support and a track record of delivering savings. “Nobody should be complacent. These programs have to be defended every cycle,” Hansen noted, stressing the need for continued investment rather than a binary keep‑or‑kill decision.
Looking Ahead
The coalition’s meeting showed the interconnected nature of plumbing, water policy and broader economic trends. By aligning industry associations around shared priorities, PILC hopes to influence legislation, safeguard supply chains and ensure that research funding remains stable. The next steps include continued lobbying, monitoring of PFAS rulemaking and participation in upcoming USMCA negotiations.
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