Washington, D.C. — For a third consecutive year, the United States Senate, with the support of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®), on Thursday passed a bipartisan resolution formally designating March 11, 2013, as World Plumbing Day.
Senate Resolution 73, introduced by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and co-sponsored by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.), stresses the importance of plumbing as it concerns public health both here and abroad, illustrates the dire conditions faced by those without access to clean water and proper sanitation, and highlights the role trained plumbers play in maintaining, repairing and rebuilding America’s aging water infrastructure.
“Whereas safe and efficient plumbing saves money and reduces future water supply costs and infrastructure costs; … Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Senate designates March 11, 2013, as ‘World Plumbing Day,’ ”the resolution reads in part. This marks the third consecutive year the U.S. Senate has recognized World Plumbing Day through the passing of such a resolution.
Senate Resolution 73 can be read in its entirety.
“Water is our planet’s most precious resource, and it is also a resource the developed world often takes for granted,” Sen. Bennet said. “Unfortunately, the reliable supply of water needed to maintain life is not readily available to nearly one billion people around the world. By supporting access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation through sound plumbing infrastructure and minimum plumbing codes, we can significantly raise quality of life and help to eliminate a historic cause of human suffering. IAPMO has done important work raising awareness of this important issue.”
The World Plumbing Council (WPC) in 2010 established March 11 as World Plumbing Day, an annual celebration to promote appreciation of the plumbing industry’s vital work on behalf of the planet and its people. The event aims to help the general public better understand how the plumbing industry protects the public’s health and safety, demonstrate the extent to which it works to limit mankind’s environmental footprint and to illuminate other important and often unsung work performed by contractors, inspectors, installers, engineers, manufacturers and academicians.
IAPMO has been an enthusiastic supporter of World Plumbing Day from its inception, developing educational materials and administering student contests to promote the event and facilitating the introduction and subsequent passage of this resolution in the U.S. Senate.
“I’m truly grateful to the U.S. Senate, the most respected and revered legislative body in our nation, for the effort extended to recognize our industry’s contribution to protecting the health and safety of society in general, as well as its important work toward the safeguarding of our natural resources through energy and water conservation,” said IAPMO CEO GP Russ Chaney, chairman of the World Plumbing Council.
Last modified: March 11, 2013