---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18939"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18939"
heading: "Premise plumbing research"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18939"
units:
  - "Chapter 163 — Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation"
  - "Subchapter II — National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future"
  - "Part A — Measurement Research"
---

# §18939. Premise plumbing research

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/18921.md?p=6), acting through the [Director](/usc/42/18921.md?p=1), shall create a program, in consultation with the Environmental Protection [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), for premise plumbing research, including to—
  - (1) conduct metrology research on premise plumbing in relation to water safety, security, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience; and
  - (2) coordinate research activities with academia, the private sector, [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organizations, and other Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
- (b) **Definitions—** For purposes of this section, the term “premise plumbing” means the water distribution system located within the property lines of a property, including all buildings and permanent structures on such property. Such term includes building supply and distribution pipes, fixtures, fittings, water heaters, water-treating and water-using equipment, and all respective joints, connections, devices, and appurtenances.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title II, § 10234, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1485.)