In celebration of World Plumbing Day on March 11 and IAPMO’s participation in the March4Water initiative, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work put in by everyone involved in organizing the festivities. I’m thrilled to see that this celebration is about so much more than just plungers, pipes, and fittings. To be completely honest, I’ve never been a fan of plungers being used to symbolize plumbers and plumbing, and I want to share a bit of my personal story and reflect on the deeper meaning of plumbing in my life.
When my dad first learned he was going to be a father, he had a typical reaction: “I better get my act together. I’ve got to make a living to support this growing family. That is when he decided to become a plumber. I just turned 60, so I tell people that I’ve been in the plumbing industry for 60 years. Although I wasn’t a plumber at birth, I did eventually work in the plumbing business along with my family. It wasn’t just the work itself that shaped me, but the values and the impact that plumbing had on our community and family.
One thing that always stuck with me, and one of the reasons I really dislike plungers is how they came to represent the plumbing trade in a way that felt demeaning. Let me be clear that plungers are a great invention and serve an important purpose. However, many television comedies and cartoons often feature a sweaty character in a white tank top undershirt, holding a plunger, with a rag hanging out of their back pocket, dealing with a leaking sink and spraying water everywhere. My dad was really bothered by such portrayals because he felt they completely misrepresented what it meant to be a plumber. “That is the most insulting thing for a plumber, to have that represent your craft,” he said. “It’s not even the tool you’d use to fix the issue.” The true symbol of a plunger should be that when it doesn’t work, you need to call a plumber. I’ve carried that feeling with me ever since.
The demeaning or dismissive portrayal of plumbers particularly bothers me because plumbing is far more than just plungers. It is a vital part of every community, and it is the foundation of everything we do at IAPMO. Our legacy dates back almost a century to when a group of forward-thinking individuals in Los Angeles came together to discuss how to make the city safer through plumbing and mechanical codes. Fast forward 99 years, and IAPMO is a global leader in the plumbing industry, shaping the standards and practices that make our world a safer place. On World Plumbing Day, I am proud to see our efforts shared across websites and social media, symbolizing the global impact we’ve had. We are not just a local or national organization; we serve the entire globe. From our work in Codes and Standards to Testing and Certification, Management System Registration, and Education and Training, everything we do is interconnected to improve global health and safety. Plumbing has always been about more than just plunging toilets, fixing leaks and installing pipes; it’s about creating safer, healthier environments for people everywhere.
For me, plumbing has always been synonymous with family, a deeply rooted notion born from my lifelong bond with the plumbing profession. IAPMO, as a natural extension of that belief, feels just as much like family. As we celebrate World Plumbing Day, I want to take a moment to honor and thank everyone at IAPMO for their dedication and the critical role they play in the plumbing industry. It’s because of their hard work and passion that our industry has given my family — and countless others — everything we have today.
Regardless of one’s personal political beliefs, it’s clear that we are living in a time of unprecedented change. The pace and scale of the shifts we’re experiencing are unlike anything we’ve seen before. These changes present both challenges and opportunities for IAPMO, and it is our responsibility to navigate this landscape while representing our diverse membership across the plumbing, mechanical, and construction industries. We must remain agile, attentive, and proactive as we adapt to the evolving environment in Washington, D.C.
At IAPMO, we’re staying engaged at the highest levels. We aren’t just monitoring the situation from the sidelines — we’re actively working to manage the impact these changes have on our members and stakeholders. Dain Hansen and his Government Relations team, DJ Nunez and his Field Services team, along with many others across IAPMO, are on the front lines, connecting with industry partners and advocating for our shared interests. We are committed to remaining proactive, evaluating the landscape, and responding strategically to ensure that our industry’s needs are addressed.
These turbulent times remind me of something to which Warren Buffet, chair of Berkshire Hathaway, often refers when counseling shareholders during periods of unease. He cites a quote from a Rudyard Kipling poem from 1895: “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs … Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.” This certainly underscores our need to stay calm and focused, as our work is critical and stands apart from the chaos.
Change, as we know, is neither inherently good nor bad — it’s the way we respond that determines its impact. IAPMO is committed to staying the course, remaining resilient, and ensuring that we continue to thrive amid these turbulent times. By maintaining focus on our long-term goals and taking informed, measured actions, we will continue to lead. We are in the room when important discussions are taking place, helping to shape policy and regulations that impact the plumbing and mechanical industries.
At the end of the day, IAPMO is not going anywhere. We are steadfast in our commitment to our mission and core values. No matter the pace or direction of change in Washington, we will continue to assess risks, identify opportunities, and lead by collaborating with our industry partners. By staying true to our vision, we will shape a strong, resilient future for our industry and ensure that our members continue to succeed in this ever-evolving landscape.
As I write this column, the ISH (International Trade Fair for Bathroom, Building, Energy, and Air Conditioning Technology) show in Frankfurt, Germany, has just concluded. Held every two years, ISH is one of the world’s leading events for innovative solutions in the building and energy sectors. This year’s edition brought together professionals and companies from across the globe to showcase the latest technologies and products focused on sustainable energy use, smart building solutions, and modern bathroom design. The event continued to serve as a vital platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and business development, drawing architects, engineers, designers, and industry leaders to discuss trends, challenges, and advancements in the built environment.
The International Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) once again elevated the importance of skilled plumbing professionals through its Plumbing Champions program. At ISH 2025, the program featured hands-on demonstrations, workshops, and a competition that highlighted the innovation and dedication of emerging plumbing professionals. Among those who participated was IAPMO member and plumber Roberto Cardenas from Local 78 in Los Angeles. He was joined by representatives from IAPMO partner organizations around the world, showcasing the global spirit of collaboration and commitment to advancing plumbing excellence. The installations created during the event were donated to a local social institution in Frankfurt, reinforcing the program’s commitment to social responsibility and community support.
A major highlight of ISH 2025 was the Value of Water Conference, which was held for the first time as an independent format within the show. Organized in partnership with Euroforum and aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 6, the conference focused on access to clean water and safe sanitation. As chair of the World Plumbing Council (WPC), I had the privilege of participating in this important gathering, which convened industry experts, policymakers, and researchers to discuss practical solutions for water scarcity, efficiency, and sustainability. I was honored to contribute to the discussions and to represent the WPC in advancing the global dialogue on water resilience and sanitation access.
The World Plumbing Council also played a central role in the overall success of ISH 2025. A significant milestone during the event was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between ISH and the WPC, symbolizing a strengthened partnership focused on promoting sustainable plumbing technologies, sharing global best practices, and supporting workforce development across the sector. In recognition of this collaboration, ISH presented a special award to the WPC during the MoU signing ceremony — a gesture of appreciation for the Council’s long-standing engagement. I was truly humbled to accept this award on behalf of the WPC.
Finally, I want to close by extending an invitation to attend our annual Education and Business Conference, Sept. 14-18, in Palm Springs, California. This year, the IAPMO conference will be co-located with ASSE International’s Annual Meeting and ARCSA International’s Conference, bringing together diverse groups with a shared goal of advancing the plumbing, water, and sanitation sectors. I look forward to the networking opportunities afforded by combining these three events, giving each organization’s members a chance to gain insights into each other’s work and foster a cross-pollination of ideas and encouraging collaboration and understanding of how alternate water systems fit into the bigger picture of plumbing and sanitation.
This is the final year of our code development process for the 2027 editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC®), and as a valued member, this will be your last opportunity to participate in debate and cast your vote on the changes that will shape the 2027 codes. Your participation is crucial as we advance these American National Standards.
I hope to see you all there!
Dave Viola
Dave Viola is the CEO of The IAPMO Group, a global non-profit membership-based organization focused on the development of codes that govern plumbing quality standards. He has more than 25 years of senior management experience within the plumbing and mechanical industry. He joined IAPMO in 2007 and, served as IAPMO’s chief operating officer with strategic and operational responsibility for the comprehensive array of IAPMO Group programs and services. Dave also serves as Deputy Chairman of the World Plumbing Council. Dave previously worked as Technical Director for the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) from 1998 until 2007. He serves or has served on many industry committees and boards in the United States and Canada, including AWE, ASME, ANSI and ASHRAE.
Last modified: April 9, 2025
Hi Dave,
You are 60 and I am 78. I was in Plumbers Local 78 out of Downtown LOs Angeles when no hub pipe was introduced. The union fought it as it was going to save time and money not pounding lead joints.
Things change overtime. Mostly for the better. Currently I am seeing IAPMO leaning more towards the left regarding climate change and the carbon footprint that the USA produces. Unfortunately, it’s a sales job the billions of dollars won’t change. We produce only 2% of the carbon footprint on the world. India, China, Russia and several other countries could care less. I am told the City and County of Los Angeles won’t issue a building permit if the homeowner wants to have a natural gas line and appliances added to their new home.
This should be a crime.
I will keep it short. Have we lost our way? We need to be better than this!
I am a retired contractor and a retired IAPMO member.