For one full century now, IAPMO has been guided by a simple yet profound mission: protecting public health and safety through safe plumbing and mechanical systems. As we celebrate IAPMO’s 100th anniversary, I find myself reflecting not only on how far the organization has come, but also on the responsibility we carry as we look toward the future.
Understanding IAPMO requires more than simply opening a modern code book or reviewing compliance standards. It requires appreciating the vision of the organization’s founders in 1926, who recognized that safe plumbing was essential to preventing disease, protecting communities, and improving quality of life. Their work helped establish modern plumbing standards at a time when many people still lacked access to reliable sanitation and clean water.
A century later, those same principles remain at the core of everything we do.
What has changed is the scope of our mission. IAPMO has evolved from addressing regional plumbing concerns into a global organization advancing public health, sustainability, water efficiency, product safety, and technical innovation around the world. Even as technologies evolve and new challenges emerge, the underlying purpose remains the same: protecting people.
One of the things I value most about IAPMO is its open consensus process. Our codes and standards are not developed in isolation. They are shaped through collaboration among installers, inspectors, engineers, manufacturers, contractors, utilities, public health officials, and many other stakeholders. That process ensures we never lose sight of the real-world impact these decisions have on the safety and wellbeing of the public.
Throughout my career, I’ve learned that protecting public health is not simply about doing the work correctly; it is about constantly learning and improving. One of the most valuable experiences for me personally was becoming involved in IAPMO committees. Serving on the Publications Committee gave me the opportunity to work alongside people like Marty Cooper and Dan Cole, whose knowledge and dedication deepened my understanding of plumbing codes and standards far beyond what I could have learned on my own. That experience reinforced for me how important collaboration and education are to our industry’s continued success.
As IAPMO enters its second century, that commitment to innovation and learning is more important than ever. Today, the organization is helping lead the industry forward through initiatives that address some of the world’s most pressing water and public health challenges.
Through the Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard (WE•Stand), IAPMO continues developing requirements that promote water conservation while maintaining the high levels of safety and performance the public depends upon. Innovations such as the Water Demand Calculator are helping engineers design plumbing systems based on modern usage data rather than outdated assumptions, reducing water waste, lowering construction costs, improving water quality, and minimizing health risks such as Legionella growth.
At the same time, the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) demonstrates how plumbing expertise can directly improve lives in underserved communities around the world. Whether working in the Navajo Nation, South Africa, India, or elsewhere, IWSH projects show how safe water and sanitation remain fundamental human needs that connect directly to IAPMO’s founding mission.
As proud as I am of IAPMO’s history, I am even more optimistic about its future. The challenges facing our industry will continue to evolve, but so will the people, technologies, and partnerships working to solve them. By staying rooted in our mission while embracing innovation, I am confident that IAPMO will continue protecting public health and safety for generations to come.
Last modified: July 14, 2026