Development of a water code of practice for internal plumbing in Kuwait

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to develop a Kuwaiti water code of practice for internal plumbing of potable water supply in homes, apartment complexes, and public facilities. In order to prepare the code, data collection was accomplished in three categories, namely, communication with governmental authorities; communication with local industries and plumbing service companies; and collecting, and studying international codes applied in other countries. The final outcome of this project was a “Uniform Potable Water – Plumbing Code of Kuwait (UPPCK)”. The UPPCK is composed of seven chapters and three appendices. It includes the standards for plumbing material specifications and general regulations, the requirements for plumbing fixtures and fixture fittings, water supply roof appliances and the ground and elevated storage tanks, approved methods for the design of water supply and distribution, and finally the protection of the water supply network from back water flow. The implementation of the UPPCK will have a positive influence on water conservation by reducing wastage of water and will ensure better health of consumers.