It’s time to celebrate all things plumbing and plumbers as the annual event returns on 11th March 2022. Now in its 12th year, World Plumbing Day highlights the water and sanitation crisis, by celebrating the role that plumbing and plumbers play in safeguarding public health.
Initiated by the World Plumbing Council (WPC) - of which the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is a member – World Plumbing Day’s main aims are to:
- Raise awareness about the health-related outcomes of plumbing that often get taken for granted.
- Concentrate on communities that still need more and better plumbing to have improved living standards and a better life.
- Remind ourselves to be grateful for the skills of those who work on our efficient plumbing systems.
- Reflect on innovative plumbing advancements to protect public health and improve the world.
At its very core, the day shows that plumbing not only saves lives, but it improves the world. The day also highlights how much is still left to be done due to the impact of the world sanitation crisis. It’s estimated that:
- 900 million school children across the world have no hand washing facilities – enabling the spread of deadly diseases.
- 361,000 under 5’s per year (almost 1000 per day) die because of water borne diarrhoeal diseases, caused by open defecation near waterways.
- 2.1 billion people (or 3 in 10 people) worldwide, still lack access to safe, readily available water at home
- A further 4.5 billion people (that’s 6 in 10 people) do not have toilets in their home.
Talking about the awareness day, CIPHE CEO Kevin Wellman said, “Plumbing and heating engineers are working at the very heart of the biggest issues our planet faces today. Globally, plumbing and plumbers are the reason why people have clean drinking water, safe sanitation, heating and hot water. Not only is our industry vital to the transition to a carbon neutral technology, but it has a leading role in cutting waste to fight water scarcity and the impact of the global water crisis.
“In the UK, the pandemic has brought home how vital plumbing and heating professionals are as critical workers. The current energy crisis has placed engineers in the thick of helping consumers use their heating and hot water systems in the most efficient and cost-effective way. It will be those designing and installing new systems, or servicing and upgrading those already in use, who make a personal impact when it comes to their client’s bills and sustainability.”
“The role of the plumbing and heating engineer as the protector of public health and saviour of the environment has been firmly cemented. We applaud the way our members and the wider industry have dealt with the difficulties thrown at them in the last two years, and the role they now play in the drive for sustainability.”
You can keep up-to-date with the latest news and events online by logging onto www.worldplumbing.org/worldplumbingday/ or following @WPlumbingDay on twitter.